US President Donald Trump said Iran wants to reach a deal with the United States after offering what he described as a “very big present” linked to oil and gas, and said discussions are underway. Iran denied any negotiations, with officials calling such claims false.
Trump said on Tuesday that the present was “worth a large amount of money” and was not related to nuclear issues. He added that talks were progressing but did not provide details on any formal negotiations or agreement.
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“We are talking to the right people,” Trump said. “Iran would like to make a deal.” He added, “We are working toward something,” without outlining any timeline or terms.
Conflicting Claims
Trump said Iran's military capabilities had been weakened. “Their navy is gone, their air force is gone, their communication systems are gone,” he said, referring to the country's defence infrastructure. He added that Iran may now be in a position to seek an agreement.
He also said the United States was in a strong position. “We are strong, and because of that, we can make good deals,” Trump said, adding that pressure forms part of his approach to international conflicts.
An Iranian military spokesperson rejected those claims on Wednesday, saying the United States was “only negotiating with itself.”
Lt Col Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in a prerecorded video broadcast on state television that what the US once described as its “strategic power” had turned into a “strategic failure.”
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Monday also dismissed reports of talks as “fake news”.
Trump's remarks come as tensions in the Middle East remain elevated and developments continue to draw global attention.
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