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Iran Denies Trump's Claims of Direct Talks, Warns of US Threats

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has categorically denied holding any direct talks with the United States, contradicting claims made by US President Donald Trump. Baghaei stated that Iran has only received messages through mediators regarding US desires for negotiation, while criticizing Washington's constantly changing stance. The denial follows Trump's social media threat to target Iran's civilian energy infrastructure, including power plants and Kharg Island, if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. These developments occur alongside escalating regional tensions, including Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets.

Key Points: Iran Denies Direct US Talks, Trump Threatens Infrastructure

  • Iran denies direct US talks
  • Trump threatens energy targets
  • Strait of Hormuz a key chokepoint
  • Tensions escalate with regional strikes
  • Mediators involved, not direct contact
3 min read

Iran denies Trump's claims of direct talks with US

Iran refutes Trump's claims of direct negotiations, as the US president threatens to obliterate Iranian energy infrastructure if Strait of Hormuz stays closed.

"It is not clear how much, even inside the US, the country's claims about diplomacy and negotiations are seriously taken into account. - Esmaeil Baghaei"

Tehran, March 30

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that the country has held no "direct" talks with the United States as of now and added that it has received messages through some mediators regarding the US' desire for negotiations, according to a report by Press TV on Monday.

As per Press TV, Baghaei said during a press conference, "It seems quite natural that when the US raises the issues of negotiations and diplomacy, sensitivities will be increased. It is not clear how much, even inside the US, the country's claims about diplomacy and negotiations are seriously taken into account. Reactions and reflections also show that the extent of global trust in the US claims in the field of diplomacy is very limited".

He slammed the US and said that Iran, while Washington's stance has been constantly changing, Tehran has had a clear stance on the negotiations.

The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson emphasised that Iran did not participate in a four-sided meeting in Islamabad on Saturday hosted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt.

His remarks come after the Financial Times had reported that US President Donald Trump claimed that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran, facilitated by Pakistani intermediaries, are making "positive progress".

Meanwhile, in a post on X, Iranian state media Press TV also denied the claims by Trump on talks with Iran.

The developments come as Trump has threatened to target Iran's civilian energy infrastructure, including power plants, oil wells and Kharg Island, if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In a social media post, Trump said, "Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately 'Open for Business,' we will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island."

He noted that Washington is engaging in "serious discussions" with a "new, and more reasonable" leadership in Tehran to bring an end to US military operations, a conflict that has lasted more than a month amid escalating regional tensions.

Trump's remarks came against a backdrop of heightened global concern over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for nearly one-fifth of world oil flows.

The president urged Iran to ensure that the waterway is "Open for Business," tying the resumption of maritime traffic directly to progress in talks aimed at ending hostilities.

Kharg Island serves as Iran's main oil export hub, handling the vast majority of the country's crude shipments, and even though US strikes earlier in the conflict have targeted military assets on the island, its energy infrastructure had largely been left intact until now.

As tensions escalate in the region, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Monday claimed it targeted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) key military university, Imam Hossein University, citing its role in advancing Iran's military capabilities.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Trump's style of diplomacy is all about public pressure and threats. It might work for his domestic audience, but it destroys trust internationally. Iran is right to be cautious. You can't negotiate with someone who publicly threatens to destroy your infrastructure.
R
Rohit P
The whole region is a tinderbox. With Israel targeting IRGC sites and the US making these statements, it feels like we're one misstep away from a major war. India has strong ties with both the Gulf and the US. Our foreign policy team must be working overtime! 🤞
S
Sarah B
Reading this from a strategic perspective, Iran denying talks makes sense. Admitting to direct negotiations under threat weakens their position. They'll talk, but only from a position of strength, not because Trump tweeted a threat. It's a high-stakes game of chicken.
V
Vikram M
Honestly, the US foreign policy seems so unpredictable. One day they want talks, the next day threats. How can any country build a stable relationship with them? Iran's spokesperson has a point about the lack of global trust. It's not just about Iran.
K
Karthik V
While I'm no fan of the Iranian regime's policies, threatening civilian energy infrastructure is a war crime. It would cause immense suffering to ordinary Iranians. This kind of rhetoric is dangerous and irresponsible. The world needs peace, not more escalation.

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