Related videos:
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs admitted this Monday that it had received messages from the United States through intermediary countries requesting negotiations to end the armed conflict, but categorically denied the existence of any direct or indirect discussions currently taking place between the two governments, according to reported by the EFE agency.
The spokesperson Ismail Bagaei stated to the state agency IRNA that the messages were answered "appropriately and in accordance with the principled positions of the country," and that Tehran warned Washington that "any action against Iranian energy infrastructures will be met with a strong, immediate, and effective reaction from the Armed Forces."
The president of the Iranian Parliament, Mohamad Bager Qalibaf, was even more blunt: "No negotiations have taken place with the United States, and false news is used to manipulate financial and oil markets and to escape the deadlock in which the United States and Israel find themselves."
The Iranian stance contrasts directly with the statements made by President Donald Trump, who on the same day announced a five-day suspension of the planned attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure. Trump stated on his Truth Social network that both countries had "very positive and productive conversations" over the past 48 hours, involving his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
"We had very, very solid conversations. We have points, important points of agreement. I would say that almost all points of agreement," declared Trump, who also noted that there is a real possibility of reaching an agreement with Iran, although he warned that "nothing is guaranteed."
According to reports, Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan acted as mediators, relaying messages between Witkoff and the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Iran attributed the de-escalation to these initiatives from the mediating countries, rather than any direct dialogue with Washington.
The markets reacted positively to the announcement of the pause: stock futures rose and oil prices fell, reinforcing the Iranian argument that the negotiation narrative aims to influence energy markets. Analysts warn that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could double oil prices.
The episode occurs 24 days before the start of Operation Epic Fury, the joint military offensive of the U.S. and Israel launched on February 28, which in its initial hours resulted in the death of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei and at least 49 high-ranking officials of the regime. On March 8, the Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the deceased leader, as the new supreme leader, a decision on which Trump publicly commented.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-third of the world's crude oil trade passes, remains partially closed by Iran. Last Saturday, the Revolutionary Guard dismissed the 48-hour ultimatum that Trump had issued on Friday demanding its reopening, supported by a joint statement from 22 countries.
Trump left open the possibility of resuming bombings if the pause does not lead to results: "If it goes well, we will end up resolving this. Otherwise, we will continue bombing with all our might".
Filed under: