Trump Claims Talks Underway with Iran; Iranian Officials Deny, Call It ‘Misleading News’
Image source, EPA
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US and Iranian officials have issued conflicting statements regarding ongoing talks aimed at ending current hostilities.
US President Donald Trump has claimed that discussions are taking place in the Middle East to “completely resolve enmity” between the two nations. However, the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament has refuted these claims, labeling them as “misleading news.”
Trump, describing the dialogue with Tehran as “fruitful discussions,” announced via social media that planned attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure have been postponed for five days.
Trump also stated that these talks will continue throughout the week.
“Based on the tone and style of these deep, detailed, and constructive discussions, which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the war controller to suspend all military actions targeting Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, pending ongoing meetings and talks,” Trump wrote on social media.
Iran’s Response
However, some Iranian officials have denied Trump’s assertion of talks with the US.
The Speaker of Iran’s Parliament stated that no such discussions have taken place and accused the claim as an attempt to “influence the oil market.”
“No negotiations have been held with America. Misleading news is being used to affect financial and oil markets and to save the US and Israel from a stuck quagmire,” Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf tweeted.
Following Trump’s announcement of the attack suspension and the possibility of a peace agreement, global crude oil prices dropped on Monday.
However, Brent crude prices later climbed, surpassing $100 per barrel.
Iran ‘Given Another Chance’
Addressing an event in Tennessee, Trump briefly commented on the Iran conflict, emphasizing America’s focus on the potential for “a great deal.”
“My entire life has been about negotiating deals, and we have been in talks with Iran for a long time. This time, they are showing genuine seriousness.”
Trump also expressed his belief that there is an agreement with Iran to prevent the development of nuclear weapons.
He reiterated that since the start of the conflict, many top Iranian officials have died and declared that Iran now has “another chance” for peace.
However, he did not specify with whom the US is currently negotiating.
Situation in the Middle East
Image source, Reuters
Tensions persist in the Middle East. Reports indicate ongoing attacks in Tehran, Iran.
BBC Persian correspondents have confirmed that fresh attacks have erupted in Iran from three different sources.
According to Iranian media, the air defense system in the capital Tehran has been activated.
The news agency affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Fars, accused the US and Israel of attacking a gas-related administrative building and a gas pressure-reducing station in Esfahan, central Iran.
Fars reported that the attacks caused damage to some infrastructure and nearby homes.
The news agency also mentioned that a pipeline supplying gas to the energy center in Khorramshahr, western Iran, was targeted, though regional governors have stated there were no casualties.
Reports have also emerged of attacks in Beirut, Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, since the start of the conflict last month, 1,039 people have died.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense reported on Monday evening that four drones were destroyed in the country’s eastern region. However, it has not disclosed whether there were any casualties.
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