President Donald Trump on Monday rejected claims by Iranian officials that peace talks with the United States were not occurring, characterizing the country's leadership as "unbelievably duplicitous." Trump stated on Truth Social that Iran had requested a meeting, with further talks scheduled, only to then publicly deny any discussions were taking place.
His comments came in response to remarks made by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, who stated earlier on Monday that "We are not currently holding negotiations with the United States. Our talks are with Oman."
Trump also asserted U.S. control over the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing Iranian claims of dominance over the vital waterway as "blather." "Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished," the President wrote.
Earlier this week, Trump announced he had called off a planned "massive attack" on Iran, which he described as the "biggest attack since WWII," after allies Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar requested a postponement. He indicated that the allies' request stemmed from the belief that a deal was possible.
The President reiterated that efforts to end the conflict with Iran were continuing and added, "It is very simple, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon!"
Trump's statements coincided with reports of an email from the U.S. Central Command's intelligence branch seeking "new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran." A CENTCOM spokesperson defended the email, citing the organization's "long history of thinking and working in innovative ways."
The conflict, which began in February, has cost the Pentagon an estimated $37.5 billion and resulted in eighteen U.S. service member deaths. Trump has previously considered a series of airstrikes, including an attack on a site believed to hold enriched uranium, but has also repeatedly stepped back from threatened military action, citing ongoing negotiations.
