Iran denies talking to US after Trump delays strikes on power grid
Iran denied on Monday that it was in negotiations with the United States after President Donald Trump backed down from a threat to attack Iran's electricity grid due to?productive talks he had with unidentified Iranian officials.
An official from Europe said that although there were no direct talks between the two countries, Egypt, Pakistan, and Gulf states "were relaying" messages. An official from Pakistan and a second person told? Direct talks to end the war in Islamabad could take place as early as this week, according to a Pakistani official and a second source.
Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform the U.S. had "very productive and good" discussions with Iran about a "complete resolution of hostilities throughout the Middle East".
He said that he would postpone for five days his plan to attack Iran's power grid. His announcement caused oil prices to fall sharply to below $100 per barrel. This was a dramatic reversal of the market's swoon that had been triggered by his weekend threats.
Later, Trump told reporters that his special envoy Steve Witkoff, and son-in law Jared Kushner who had been negotiating Iran before the war had had discussions with a senior Iranian official until the evening of Sunday, and would continue to do so on Monday.
We have had a very intense discussion. We'll have to wait and see how they go. He told reporters that he and the other candidates "have major points in common, or I'd say almost all points in common" before leaving Florida for Memphis.
He said that Washington has been negotiating with Iran for "a long time" and "this time they are serious." He added: "I believe it could end up being a great deal for everyone."
He didn't identify the Iranian official who was in contact with Witkoff or Kushner but said, "We are dealing with the man I believe to be the most respected and leader."
According to an Israeli official as well as two other sources who are familiar with the situation, the interlocutor from the Iranian side is Iran's powerful Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
SPEAKER IN IRAN'S PARLIAMENT CALLS OUT 'FAKENEWS"
Qalibaf told X there had not been any such talks, and mocked the suggestion by calling it an attempt to rig the financial markets.
He wrote: "No negotiations with the U.S. have taken place, and fakenews are?used to manipulate the financial and oil market and escape the quagmire that the US and Israel is trapped in,"
The Iranian people demand a complete and remorseful punishing of the aggressors. "Until this goal is reached, all Iranian officials will stand with their supreme leader and the Iranian people."
Iran's elite Revolutionary 'Guards' (IRGC) announced that they would launch new attacks against U.S. target and described Trump’s words as “psychological operations” which were "worn-out" and had no impact on Tehran’s fight.
The IRGC announced late Monday that it had targeted several Israeli cities including Dimona, Tel Aviv, and a number U.S. military bases. It claimed to be "negotiating" through "impact-focused operations" with "aggressors."
Israel's military confirmed that it detected missiles launched by Iran on Monday evening for the first since Trump's comments. At least one interception was heard in Jerusalem.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, said in a statement on video that he had spoken with Trump on the phone on Monday. He also stated that Israel will continue its attacks on Lebanon and Iran.
Netanyahu, however, said that Trump believes there is a chance to "leverage the mighty accomplishments of the IDF (Israel Defence Forces), and the U.S. Military in order for us to achieve the goals of war in a "deal" - one which will preserve our vital interest.
Iran's Foreign Ministry described efforts to reduce tensions, despite the fact that there was no confirmation of talks as described by Trump.
The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with his Omani counterpart to discuss the latest developments in the Strait of Hormuz and they agreed to continue their consultations.
Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz. Through this key strait, about a fifth of all oil and gas liquefied in the world is transported. Trump demanded that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran said it would not do so until Israel and the United States stopped their attacks.
According to the Pakistani official, U.S. Vice President JDVance, Witkoff, and Kushner are expected to meet Iranian officials this week in Islamabad, following a phone call between Trump's and Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir.
The White House confirmed Trump’s call to Munir. Karoline Leavitt, White House spokesperson, responded to a question about the possibility of a visit by Witkoff or Kushner in Islamabad:
The U.S. won't negotiate with the media about sensitive diplomatic issues. It is important to remember that the situation is fluid and should not be taken as final until the White House announces any meetings.
Requests for comments from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister's Office were not immediately responded to.
Iranian media reported Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's president and Shehbaz Shaif, Pakistani prime minister discussing the impact of war on regional and world security.
Pezeshkian said that Iran was committed to "preserving stability and security" and "countering foreign interference in region affairs". He also wanted to increase cooperation with countries of the area.
Iran responded to Trump’s threats of?striking its power plants' by saying that it would hammer infrastructures of U.S. Allies in the Middle East. This raises the possibility that an extreme disruption in global energy supply could last longer than originally expected.
In the U.S.-Israeli war that began on 28 February, more than 2,000 lives have been lost.
(source: Reuters)
