Trump denies offering Iran sanctions relief to end war

Tehran, Iran. US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had offered Iran nothing to end the war, rejecting reports that he was willing to ease sanctions and release frozen funds in exchange for steps on its nuclear programme.

Trump rejects reports of proposed concessions

“This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Axios and CNN reported, citing unidentified US officials, that Trump was willing to offer sanctions relief and release Iranian funds as part of a final deal if Iran showed “concrete progress” on the nuclear issue.

Trump has cited preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb as a key goal of the war. He has also cited ending Iran’s ability to attack its neighbours and creating conditions for Iranians to topple their leadership.

Iran does not have nuclear weapons and denies seeking to develop them. It says it has the right to a domestic nuclear energy capacity.

Iran says it is open to talks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the CBS programme “Face the Nation” that Tehran was ready to discuss its nuclear programme and other issues, but would not accept “bullying or coercion”.

“Iran is not seeking war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats and attacks,” Pezeshkian said. He added that Iran had already agreed that “we’re not supposed to develop nuclear weapons”.

US and Iranian officials spoke separately with mediators on Monday in a renewed effort to end the seven-month war, according to officials from both countries.

Iran said on Sunday that only diplomacy could resolve its conflict with the United States and Israel. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on social media that reopening the Strait of Hormuz depended on Iran’s conditions being met. “Only a negotiated solution can get them out of this deadlock,” he said.