Iran denies Trump’s talks claims as US strike pause spurs military buildup speculation

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - No talks have taken place between Tehran and Washington, Iranian state media insisted on Monday, dismissing as “false” claims by US President Donald Trump that American and Iranian negotiators had held “very good” engagement aimed at ending the ongoing war and halting US strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcaster (IRIB) said in a post on X that “no conversation has taken place between Iran and the US, and Trump's claim about having these talks is false.”

The state-run outlet added that “Trump's false claim is an attempt to escape his recent threat on Iran's power infrastructure,” adding that Tehran’s “stance on the Strait of Hormuz has not changed.”

Similarly, Tasnim News Agency, a media affiliate of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), cited a “high-profile security official” as saying that US President Donald Trump had “backed down” from threats to target “vital infrastructure” after Iran issued “serious” warnings that it would retaliate against regional energy infrastructure if its own facilities were struck.

The official reportedly added that “there are no ongoing negotiations and there will be none,” stressing that “the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war state, and calm will not return to energy markets,” and that Tehran will “continue defending [itself] until it achieves the necessary level of deterrence.”

Conflicting claims

The reports by Iranian media came shortly after Trump said the United States and Iran had held “very good and productive conversations” over the past two days aimed at a “complete and total resolution” of hostilities in the Middle East, in a post on his Truth Social platform.

The remarks followed an ultimatum issued by Trump on Saturday, in which he threatened to strike Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened within 48 hours.

“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,” he added.

Later in the day, speaking to reporters at an airport in Florida, Trump said Iran wanted “to make a deal,” adding that US envoys had been in contact with a “respected” Iranian figure, though not Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

“If a deal happens, it’s a great start for Iran and the region,” he said.

Trump was also quoted by Fox Business Network as saying that “Iran wants to make a deal badly,” adding that “the talks are ongoing” and that “the most recent talks happened last night [Sunday],” involving US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and their counterparts.

Previous rounds of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington had been facilitated by Muscat, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi emerging as a key mediator and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leading Tehran’s negotiating team.

While Araghchi has yet to comment on Trump’s remarks, Albusaidi wrote in a post on X that “Oman is working intensively to put in place safe passage arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz,” adding, “Whatever your view of Iran, this war is not of their making.” He warned that the conflict is already causing widespread economic disruption and could worsen if it continues.

Beyond diplomacy

Trump’s announcement of a five-day pause in planned strikes triggered a sharp relief rally across global markets. Brent crude fell by roughly 10.5 percent in a single day, from nearly $112 per barrel to around $100, while European benchmark gas prices dropped by 17 percent. Shares of major energy companies such as BP and Shell also declined by more than 3 percent.

However, analysts say the five-day window may be as much about military positioning as diplomacy.

The Pentagon recently confirmed that the USS Boxer and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), comprising around 2,500 Marines, are en route to the region. By delaying strikes, Washington allows these assets to move within operational range.

If talks collapse by the weekend, the US would have significantly more boots on the water to potentially execute operations like the rumored blockade or seizure of Kharg Island - a 22 square kilometer outcrop that processes roughly 90 percent of Iran’s crude exports.