Tehran: Within hours of Donald Trump posting on Truth Social that the US and Iran were engaged in “very good and productive” discussions, signalling a possible end to the 23-day-old war, Tehran rejected the US President’s claim on Monday.
Based on the “tenor and tone of these in depth, detailed and constructive conversations”, Trump wrote he instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period.
But, not for the first time since joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering retaliatory attacks in Gulf nations, Iran was quick to contradict the US President, rejecting his claim of a five-day ceasefire and negotiations.
Iran’s Foreign ministry made it clear there are no ongoing talks between Tehran and Washington. The statement, reported by Mehr News Agency, described Trump’s remarks as part of an effort to influence energy markets and gain time.
Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that there has been “no direct or indirect contact” with Trump.
Tasnim News Agency, another IRGC-linked outlet, quoted a senior security official as saying that no negotiations have taken place and none is underway.
‘Major points of agreement, but no guarantees’
Trump followed up his Truth Social post with more talk on the Iran war situation later on Monday.
Reiterating that there have been talks between the US and Iran, the US President said the two sides had “major points of agreement”.
Speaking to reporters before departing Florida for Memphis, Trump said his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and close aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner were in deliberations with Iranians on Sunday, and that discussions will continue on Monday.
Though he was hopeful of a deal, Trump said he can’t give any guarantee.
“We have had very, very strong talks. We’ll see where they lead. We have points, major points of agreement, I would say, almost all points of agreement … we’ve had very strong talks, Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner had them,” Trump said.
“All I’m saying is, we are in the throes of a real possibility of making a deal,” he told reporters before departing Florida for Memphis.
He added that Iran wanted to make a deal, and that US envoys have been holding talks with a ‘respected’ Iranian leader, reported AP.
Refusing to specify who the US was speaking with in Iran, Trump but said it was not Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. Trump quipped that Iran “had some leaders left.”
