Confusion deepens as Iran denies Trump’s negotiation claim

Iran has dismissed claims by Donald Trump that discussions took place between between Washington and Tehran, leading to a pause in US airstrikes.

The denial comes after Trump said the United States had held “very good and productive” conversations with Iran, a claim he used to justify delaying planned military strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.

However, Iranian officials swiftly contradicted the statement.

“There is no dialogue with the United States,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said, according to state media.

Iran’s Fars news agency went further, stating that there had been neither direct nor indirect contact between the two sides, directly challenging Trump’s assertion of ongoing engagement.

The sharp divergence in accounts highlights growing confusion over the state of diplomacy amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Trump had earlier indicated that military action against Iran’s power facilities would be paused for five days to allow room for negotiations, adding that progress could lead to a broader resolution of hostilities.

But Tehran signalled no such diplomatic opening, with a senior Iranian security official quoted as saying there “aren’t any talks” and suggesting the US decision to hold back strikes was driven by pressure rather than dialogue.

While Iran acknowledged that some regional actors are attempting to mediate, it maintained that it had not initiated any contact and rejected suggestions that negotiations were underway.

The conflicting narratives come against the backdrop of an intensifying conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and heightened fears of wider regional instability.

With both sides publicly at odds over whether talks even exist, prospects for de-escalation remain uncertain.