The US president has rejected claims that he is prepared to ease sanctions in exchange for steps on Tehran’s nuclear program
US President Donald Trump has denied offering any concessions to Iran after indirect negotiations resumed in New York on Monday in hopes of ending the war launched by the US and Israel against the Islamic Republic seven months ago.
Trump took to social media to refute an Axios report claiming that he was prepared to lift some sanctions and release frozen Iranian funds in return for “concrete Iranian steps” regarding its nuclear program. AP published similar claims early Tuesday morning, also citing US officials.
“This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING! Axios’ story, like most others, is a HOAX, used only for purposes of satisfying their Trump Derangement Syndrome,” he wrote on Truth Social, demanding that the “fake story” be taken down.
US and Iranian officials met separately with mediators on the sidelines and are expected to focus on a revised proposal submitted by Tehran last week during the UN General Assembly, according to Reuters.
Trump confirmed on Saturday that he had rejected Iran’s proposal for a seven-day ceasefire that would have reopened the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that he sought a better deal. The US president has emphasized that his primary goal is to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and ensure that Tehran never acquires nuclear weapons.
Iran, meanwhile, has maintained that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and that uranium enrichment is its right as a sovereign state.
The situation remains tense around the Strait of Hormuz, where disruptions to shipping are driving up energy prices worldwide. On Wednesday, an Indian sailor was killed after a projectile struck the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged cargo ship Cape Dao. Although Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attack, it has previously warned vessels passing through the strait not to use the “illegal” routes designated by the US Navy.
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