Iran Rejects Trump’s Claim Over Appeal to Avert U.S. Strikes
TEHRAN- Iranian state-affiliated media on Sunday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that Tehran had asked Washington not to launch further military strikes, as both sides maintained sharply conflicting public positions amid continued tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program.
Mehr News Agency, citing Iranian military officials, described Trump’s claim as “nothing but a new lie” and said Iran’s armed forces remained on “high alert” and prepared for any potential escalation. The report did not indicate any change in Tehran’s military posture.
Trump said on Saturday that the United States was prepared to take further action against Iran but had decided to hold off after what he described as requests from Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries. He said any decision would depend on reaching an agreement with Iran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said such an agreement would require the “Immediate, Complete and Total” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to what he described as Iran’s nuclear threat.
Iranian media disputed Trump’s account. Fars News Agency, citing a source close to Iranian negotiators, reported on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as long as the United States continued what it described as hostile actions toward Iran.
According to the report, Iran has maintained restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the conflict, requiring vessels to obtain permission and pay transit fees before using the strategic waterway.
Neither the statements carried by Iranian media nor Trump’s remarks provided evidence supporting their respective claims, and there was no immediate indication of direct negotiations between the two sides.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors, serving as a key route for global energy shipments, and developments affecting navigation through the waterway are closely watched by international energy markets and governments.
