Iran has denied talks with U.S. after Trump claimed negotiations to end Middle East conflict.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Iran has denied holding negotiations with the United States after Donald Trump announced that discussions were underway between Iran and United States to end the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, which cited officials from the country’s foreign ministry on Monday, there are currently no talks taking place between Tehran and Washington.
“There are no talks between Tehran and Washington,” the report quoted the ministry as saying, adding that Trump’s claims were part of efforts aimed at driving down global energy prices.
ALSO: Kano APC Reacts as Kwankwaso Hosts Peter Obi, Makinde, Dickson at Eid Gathering
Several other Iranian media outlets also carried similar reports dismissing the U.S. president’s statement.
The denial followed a social media post by Trump which immediately triggered a drop in global oil prices. In the post, Trump claimed that Washington and Tehran had held “productive conversations” over the past two days aimed at achieving “a complete and total resolution” of hostilities in the Middle East.
He also stated that he had directed the Pentagon to postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, pending the outcome of the alleged negotiations.
According to Trump, discussions between both sides were expected to continue throughout the week.
The announcement came shortly before a Monday night ultimatum issued by the U.S. president for Iran to reopen the critical shipping route at the Strait of Hormuz or risk having its power plants “obliterated.”
In response, Iran had earlier threatened to deploy naval mines in the Gulf and target energy facilities across the region if hostilities escalate.
The rising tensions have raised global concerns about potential disruption to energy supply, with analysts warning that a prolonged conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran could trigger a major global energy crisis.
