US President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered Iran sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds in exchange for concrete steps on its nuclear programme. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he had offered Iran "NOTHING". This denial comes after media reports citing unidentified US officials claimed that Trump was willing to ease sanctions and release frozen funds as part of a final deal.
The reports, published by Axios and CNN, suggested that Trump was willing to give Iran sanctions relief and free Iranian funds if Tehran showed "concrete progress" on the nuclear issue. Trump has previously cited preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb as a key goal of the war, along with ending its ability to attack its neighbours and creating conditions for Iranians to topple their leadership.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Tehran is ready for talks on its nuclear programme and other issues, but would not accept "bullying or coercion". In an interview with CBS, Pezeshkian said that Iran is not seeking war but will defend itself against pressure, threats, and attacks. He added that Iran had already agreed not to develop nuclear weapons.
US and Iranian officials spoke separately with mediators on Monday as part of a renewed effort to end the seven-month war. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on social media that only diplomacy can solve the conflict with the United States and Israel. Araqchi stated that Iran's conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on these conditions being met.
Araqchi told reporters at the UN on Friday that the proposed deal would trigger a seven-day countdown to reopening the strait and a pause in regional fighting. However, Trump rejected the plan, arguing that desperation was driving the Iranians' push for an agreement on the key waterway. Trump claimed that the Iranians want to make a deal to open the Hormuz Strait immediately because they are losing badly.
The war, launched by Trump alongside Israel in February as "Operation Epic Fury", has killed thousands of people and severely disrupted global energy supplies, pushing up oil prices and fuelling global inflation. Iran and its allies have responded by extending the conflict throughout the region, striking US allies in the Gulf with drones and missiles.
Oil prices rose for a second successive session on Tuesday as lingering concern over Middle East supply outweighed signs of recovering crude exports from the region. Brent crude futures had risen $1.49, or 1.4%, to $106.77 a barrel by 0326 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $93.94, up $1.34, or 1.5%.
Key points
- Trump denies offering Iran sanctions relief and frozen funds for concrete steps on its nuclear programme.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian states that Tehran is ready for talks on its nuclear programme and other issues.
- The war has killed thousands of people and severely disrupted global energy supplies, pushing up oil prices and fuelling global inflation.
