US-Iran Talks "Rashomon": Trump Claims Negotiations with Iran Officials, Iran Firmly Denies

On March 23rd, local time, before the deadline for Trump to demand Iran open the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. announced that “very good and productive talks with Iran have taken place,” and that discussions will continue until the end of this week.

Iran firmly denied this, stating that Iran’s position on the Hormuz Strait issue and ending the conflict has not changed.

U.S. Claims Negotiations with Iranian Officials

Including the Participation of Iran’s Parliament Speaker

On March 23rd, local time, President Trump said, “The United States and Iran have had very good and productive talks over the past two days,” and that discussions will continue until the end of this week. He also said he has instructed a five-day pause on all military strikes against Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure, provided that ongoing meetings and discussions are successful.

Trump states the U.S. has engaged in talks with Iranian leadership, but not with Iran’s Supreme Leader. The talks are being conducted by U.S. Special Envoy Witkov and his son-in-law Kushner with Iranian representatives.

Trump gave interviews to multiple media outlets on the same day, telling U.S. media that Iran “really wants to reach an agreement,” and that the U.S. and Iran “could reach an agreement within five days or even sooner.” Trump also said the U.S. is “very interested in reaching an agreement with Iran.”

Israeli media on the same day cited sources saying that the U.S. is in talks with Iran’s Islamic Parliament Speaker Kalibaf. Another senior Israeli official said that later this week, senior U.S. and Iranian officials will hold talks in Islamabad, Pakistan. The official also mentioned that U.S. Vice President Vance might serve as the U.S. senior representative.

Iranian Parties Firmly Deny Negotiations with the U.S.

Releasing Footage of Attacks on U.S. Military Bases

△Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (File photo)

After the U.S. announced talks, Iran immediately denied it. Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that there is “no dialogue” with the U.S..

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei said that Iran has received messages from some friendly countries over the past few days regarding U.S. demands to end the war through negotiations, and Iran has responded appropriately based on its principles. In the past 24 days of conflict, Iran has not engaged in any negotiations with the U.S. and its stance on the Hormuz Strait issue and ending the conflict remains unchanged. He also warned of the possible consequences of attacks on Iran’s critical infrastructure and emphasized that any actions against Iran’s energy infrastructure will be met with a “decisive, immediate, and effective” response by Iran’s armed forces.

A senior Iranian security official also stated that there are currently no negotiations with the U.S. and none will take place. Trump’s comments on social media may be “psychological warfare.” The official added that Iran will continue to defend and respond broadly to U.S. military actions.

Regarding Israel’s claim on the 23rd that “the U.S. is in talks with Iran’s Islamic Parliament Speaker Kalibaf,” Kalibaf himself posted on social media denying any dialogue with the U.S., and reaffirmed that Iranian officials at all levels will firmly support the Supreme Leader and the people until the goals are achieved.

Kalibaf said that spreading “fake news” aims to manipulate financial and oil markets, thereby helping the U.S. and Israel escape their deepening quagmire.

Later that day, Iran released footage of the “Real Commitment-4” round 77 military operation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that this operation used “Zolfaqar” missiles and drones to strike U.S. targets including the Ali Salim Air Force Base in Kuwait, the Saudi Prince Sultan Air Force Base, and the Zafirah Air Force Base in the UAE.

Repeatedly Announcing Negotiation Messages

What is the U.S. aiming for?

Despite Iran’s repeated denials, U.S. President Trump on March 23rd repeatedly said, “The U.S. is negotiating with Iran, and Iran is eager to reach an agreement.” What is the U.S. trying to achieve?

According to assessments by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps former commanders and Iranian media in Tehran, Trump is employing a “deception strategy,” with four main goals:

• Manipulate markets and control energy prices such as oil;
• Buy time to deploy additional U.S. troops;
• Conspire secretly, gathering intelligence on senior Iranian officials;
• Create divisions and intensify internal conflicts within Iran.

Additionally, two U.S. officials revealed that thousands of U.S. Marines are scheduled to arrive in the Middle East on the 27th. The U.S. Department of Defense has also ordered another Marine unit to depart within weeks.

(Source: CCTV News)