Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf denied on Monday (March 23rd) that any negotiations had taken place between Iran and the United States.
Qalibaf accused the US of spreading disinformation to influence global financial and oil markets amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the region.
In a post on X, he said: “There have been no negotiations with the US and fake news is being used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and to get out of the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.
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Trump’s claims were previously contradicted by Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency, which said there were currently no talks between Tehran and Washington.
The conflicting accounts underscore continued uncertainty about diplomatic efforts and the trajectory of U.S.-Iranian relations.
Trump signals progress in talks with Iran
The statement directly contradicts the claims of Donald Trump, who previously said that Washington was negotiating with Tehran.
Trump said on Monday that the United States had made significant progress in talks with Iran, with both sides close to a deal.
“We’ve had very, very strong negotiations. We’ll see where they go. We have major points of agreement … almost all points of agreement,” Trump told reporters in Florida before flying to Memphis.
He added that discussions held on Sunday would continue, saying: “We will probably meet by phone today.”
American envoys in contact with Iranian officials
Trump said his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were involved in the talks.
He claimed that US officials had met with a “respected” Iranian leader, but did not disclose specific names.
“They want to make a deal and we’re very willing to make a deal,” Trump said, adding that Iran had initiated the information campaign.
The threat of a strike and delayed military action
Trump revealed that the US was prepared to strike Iran’s energy infrastructure, but suspended the action after negotiations.
“So tomorrow morning … we were expected to blow up their biggest power plant … Why would they want to? So they called, I didn’t call. They called,” he said.
Trump earlier said he had ordered a five-day delay in the planned strikes after what he described as “good and productive conversations.”
Nuclear Posture and Force Warning
Trump reiterated Washington’s main demand, saying: “They will never have a nuclear weapon … They agreed to that.”
He warned of military escalation if talks failed, declaring: “We will continue to bomb.”
Trump also claimed that there were “15 points of agreement” between the two sides and stressed that the US was seeking “no nuclear weapons and peace in the Middle East”.
Oil, Hormuz
Trump suggested the deal could stabilize global energy markets and reopen key shipping lanes.
“The price of oil will drop like a rock once the deal is done,” he said, adding that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen soon if the talks succeed.
He also stressed the need for supply stability: “We want as much oil in the system as possible.”
Mode change tips
The American president also drew attention to the possibility of political changes in Iran. “There will be a very serious form of regime change in Iran,” Trump said, suggesting options including “joint leadership.”
A deal is possible but not guaranteed
Despite his upbeat tone, Trump acknowledged uncertainty. “I think it will happen … but I can’t guarantee a deal,” he said, adding that any deal would be “a great start for Iran and the region.”
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