President Donald Trump offered an unconventional definition of a ceasefire on Wednesday, suggesting that in the Middle East, it can mean "you're shooting in a more moderate manner." The remark came during an Oval Office exchange with reporters as questions mounted over the status of a truce involving Iran.

When asked whether a ceasefire remained in effect despite reports of continued military activity, Trump indicated the agreement was largely holding. "That's a different part of the world," he said. "I'd say in that part of the world, a ceasefire is when you're shooting in a more moderate manner."

Trump also referenced recent U.S. military action against Iranian targets. "We hit them pretty hard the night before and actually last night," he said. "We've been hitting them pretty hard." He added that there was "a reason for everything" when responding to questions about recent developments.

Despite the ongoing tensions, Trump struck an optimistic tone on negotiations, saying discussions were "looking good" after what he described as a temporary setback. "It's not a simple thing," Trump said, citing the scale of the conflict and longstanding tensions in the region. "But we're getting what we need."

The comments come as a fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire faces renewed scrutiny. Negotiators reached a tentative agreement last week to extend the truce by 60 days and launch a new round of nuclear talks. However, recent military exchanges between the two sides have raised fresh questions about the durability of the ceasefire and the prospects for a longer-term agreement.