Donald Trump has dismissed as a fabrication a report that he was prepared to soften economic pressure on Iran in exchange for concessions on its nuclear programme. In a post on Truth Social, the US president insisted he had offered Tehran nothing and called on Axios to retract the story.
The article published by Axios, which cited sources inside the American administration, claimed that the US president was ready to ease sanctions and to release frozen Iranian funds if Tehran took concrete steps on its nuclear programme.
Trump rejected that account outright on his own platform.
– It is not true. I offered them nothing! The Axios article, like most others, is a hoax, used only to satisfy their obsession with Trump. They should immediately retract this fake story! – said Donald Trump.
Mediators push for a deal
Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar were making another attempt this week to bring Washington and Tehran to an agreement. Axios noted that the positions of both sides still diverge sharply on several key issues.
Iran wants the talks to concentrate on the Strait of Hormuz and the American naval blockade, while the Trump administration demands that Tehran accept concessions on its nuclear programme.
On Monday the intermediaries met with the Iranian side. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said in New York that Iranian officials had discussed with Qatari mediators proposals that would be handed to the United States. He added that Tehran expects to receive Washington’s final answer through Doha.
Araghchi also stated that Iran had informed the United States and the international community about the conditions set by Iran’s supreme leader for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported. He did not disclose what those conditions were.
– If the Americans claim that they are seeking an agreement or a peaceful solution, we have presented such a solution – said Abbas Araghchi.
Talks through go-betweens
According to Axios, the intermediaries were scheduled to meet representatives of the US administration on Monday evening or on Tuesday. Trump confirmed in a conversation with the media on Monday that negotiations with the Iranians were being conducted through mediators.
On Saturday the president turned down a proposal put forward by Tehran for a seven-day truce.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
