Donald Trump rejects reports of sanctions relief for Tehran

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was ready for nuclear talks but would not accept "bullying or coercion"

Washington: US President Donald Trump said he had offered Iran nothing to end the war, rejecting media reports citing US officials that he was willing to ease sanctions and release frozen funds in exchange for "concrete" steps on Iran's nuclear programme.

"This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday.


Axios and CNN both reported, citing unidentified US officials, that Trump was willing to provide Iran with sanctions relief and unfreeze Iranian funds as part of a final deal, on condition that Tehran showed "concrete progress" on the nuclear issue.

Read more: Mediators working to broker US-Iran deal even after Trump rejected latest Tehran proposal

Trump has cited preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb as a key goal of the war, along with ending its ability to attack its neighbours and creating conditions for Iranians to topple their leadership.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in an interview with the CBS show "Face the Nation", said Tehran was ready for talks on its nuclear programme and other issues, but would not accept "bullying or coercion".

"Iran is not seeking war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats and attacks," Pezeshkian said, adding that it had already agreed that "we're not supposed to develop nuclear weapons".

US and Iranian officials spoke separately with mediators on Monday as part of a renewed effort to end the seven-month war, according to officials from both countries.

Iran insisted on Sunday that only diplomacy could resolve its conflict with the United States and Israel.

"Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on these conditions being met," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on social media. "Only a negotiated solution can get them out of this deadlock." Reuters