Washington (TDI): Conflicting narratives have emerged between Washington and Tehran, as US President Donald Trump claimed significant progress in talks with Iran, while Iranian officials firmly denied that any negotiations are taking place.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said there was a “very good chance” of reaching a deal to end the ongoing conflict, which has expanded across the Middle East and disrupted global supply chains. He added that recent discussions between the two sides had produced “major points of agreement,” raising hopes of a breakthrough.
“We’ve had very strong talks… I would say almost all points of agreement,” Trump said, noting that conversations held over the weekend would continue. He suggested that a deal could be reached within days if momentum is maintained.
Trump said his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner were involved in the discussions, though he did not identify the Iranian counterpart, describing him only as a highly respected leader. He also claimed that Iran had agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons.
According to Trump, Tehran initiated contact to avoid potential US strikes on its energy infrastructure, which Washington had threatened if the Strait of Hormuz remained restricted. He added that a successful agreement could quickly stabilize oil markets, predicting that prices would “drop like a rock” once a deal is finalized.
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However, Iranian officials have rejected these claims outright. The Foreign Ministry, quoted by local media, said there are “no talks between Tehran and Washington,” describing Trump’s statements as an attempt to influence global energy markets.
Despite the denial, Trump said he had ordered a five-day delay in planned strikes on Iranian power plants to allow space for diplomacy. The White House has not provided details about the alleged discussions, including where or how they took place.
The situation remains volatile, with threats and counter-threats continuing across the region. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned of retaliation if US strikes proceed, including targeting energy infrastructure linked to US allies in the Gulf.
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The conflict, now in its fourth week, has already caused significant human and economic losses. More than 2,000 people have reportedly been killed since late February, while global markets have been rattled by rising fuel prices and fears of supply disruptions.
Oil markets reacted sharply to Trump’s comments, with Brent crude briefly dropping around 13% before stabilizing near $101 per barrel. Global equities also showed signs of recovery following the remarks.
