Iran brands Trump's claim of fresh nuclear talks 'fake news', says 'no negotiations' planned
WASHINGTON, DC: Hopes of a renewed diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran suffered an immediate setback after Tehran rejected reports that the two sides would resume nuclear negotiations next week, directly contradicting President Donald Trump's recent claim that Iran had reached out for fresh talks.
Trump had suggested earlier today that Tehran wanted to restart negotiations following weeks of heightened tensions.
However, Iranian officials and sources close to the country's negotiating team have now dismissed those reports as false, deepening uncertainty over whether diplomacy is back on track.
Tehran rejects Trump narrative
According to Iran's Fars News Agency, a source close to the country's negotiating team denied reports published by foreign media claiming preparations for a new round of US-Iran talks were underway.
"The news is false and has no real basis," the source said, adding that any developments regarding negotiations would be announced only through official channels of the Islamic Republic.
Senior Iranian negotiating team member Mohammad Marandi also rejected Trump's comments and reports suggesting talks would resume in Switzerland next week.
"Ignore Trump and Axios. There will be no talks until the Trump administration follows through on its commitments," Marandi said, describing claims of imminent negotiations as "fake news."
The remarks came after Axios reported that Washington and Tehran were expected to hold another round of discussions in Switzerland, a report later echoed by several international media outlets.
Diplomatic confusion deepens
The conflicting public statements mark the latest twist in an already fragile US-Iran relationship, which has deteriorated following renewed military tensions and disagreements over the future of Tehran's nuclear program.
Trump had recently indicated that Iran was interested in reopening negotiations, portraying diplomacy as a possible path forward despite ongoing hostilities.
Iran's latest response, however, suggests Tehran is unwilling to return to the negotiating table unless Washington first fulfills what Iranian officials describe as previous commitments.
Fars News also noted that similar reports of imminent negotiations had surfaced in recent months before being denied by Iranian authorities, urging observers to rely only on official statements from Tehran.
The contradictory messaging leaves the future of US-Iran diplomacy uncertain.
While reports from Western media have pointed to possible behind-the-scenes engagement, Iranian officials continue to insist that no new negotiations have been scheduled, creating a widening gap between the public positions of Washington and Tehran.
