Trump Says US and Iran Have Been in Talks; Iran Denies Any Contact

Xinhua News Agency, Washington, March 23 — U.S. President Trump said on the 23rd that the United States and Iran have had “very good and productive” talks over the past two days, and the U.S. will “delay the attack on Iranian power plants by 5 days.” Subsequently, Iranian media quoted the Iranian Foreign Ministry saying that there is no dialogue between Iran and the U.S.

Trump posted on social media that “over the past two days, the U.S. and Iran have had very good and productive discussions on a comprehensive and thorough solution to our hostile actions in the Middle East,” describing the talks as “in-depth, detailed, and constructive,” and that they will continue throughout this week.

Trump stated that, based on the tone and atmosphere of these discussions, he has instructed the U.S. Department of Defense to postpone military strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure for 5 days, provided that ongoing meetings and discussions are successful.

However, Iran quickly denied any contact with the U.S.

Sources told Fars News Agency that “Iran has had no direct or indirect contact with Trump; he backed down after hearing that we might attack all power plants in West Asia.”

Iran’s Tasnim News Agency quoted an anonymous senior security official as saying that Trump has “backed down,” and that no negotiations have taken place between Iran and the U.S. so far. The official said that, considering Iran’s military threats, Trump has abandoned plans to attack Iran’s critical infrastructure. Pressure from financial markets and other factors also played a significant role in Trump’s “backing down.”

On social media on the 23rd, Iran’s Islamic Republic Broadcasting said that U.S. President Trump “retracted the 48-hour ultimatum out of fear of Iran’s retaliation.”

On the 21st, Trump posted on social media threatening Iran, demanding that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, or else destroy its various power plants. (End)