Iran has responded to Donald Trump’s claim that “very good and productive” talks had led to a postponement of U.S. strikes on Iranian power plants.
Two Iranian news agencies close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Fars and Tasnim, reported that no direct or indirect negotiations had taken place with Washington.
Tasnim further stated that Trump’s announcement reflected fear of an Iranian response rather than any diplomatic progress.
“Since the start of the war, messages have been sent to Tehran by some mediators, but Iran’s clear response has been that it will continue its defence until the required level of deterrence is achieved,” Tasnim reported.
“No negotiations have taken place, and none are currently underway.”
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.
“THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Despite these conflicting accounts, financial markets reacted positively to the announcement of a pause in strikes.
Brent crude oil prices fell to $96 a barrel, while UK gas prices dropped from 159p a therm to approximately 139p. The yield on 10-year government bonds decreased from 5.12% to 4.89%, and London’s FTSE 100 index gained 0.5% after an earlier decline of more than 2%.
Investors remain apprehensive, as the fate of the Strait of Hormuz is crucial to energy market stability.
Analysts have warned that uncertainty regarding the true state of U.S.-Iran communications could contribute to ongoing volatility, with the risk of renewed escalation still very much a possibility.
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