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The Iranian regime denied on Wednesday the statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed on his social media platform Truth Social that Iran had requested a ceasefire in the conflict between the two countries that has been ongoing since late February.
The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry described Trump's claim as "false and unfounded", according to reports from Iranian state television and reproduced by the agency Reuters.
Trump had posted that the "president of the new Iranian regime" had called for a cessation of hostilities, and conditioned any consideration on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. "We will consider it when the Strait of Hormuz is open, free, and clear," the president wrote.
In the same message, Trump threatened to continue the offensive if that condition is not met: "Until then, we are ravaging Iran to annihilation or, as they say, back to the Stone Age!"
The identity of the Iranian interlocutor referred to by Trump remains unclear. Tehran is undergoing a power transition following the death of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei, which occurred as a result of the bombings in Operation Epic Fury, the joint military campaign launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28.
Iran closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz on March 4, a passage through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas flows, in response to those attacks.
While statements were being exchanged regarding the ceasefire, fighting continued on the ground. Israel bombed Tehran and Beirut, where at least nine people were killed, while Iran attacked the airport in Kuwait and targets in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.
In parallel, Trump stated to the British newspaper The Telegraph that he is seriously considering withdrawing the U.S. from NATO, following the refusal of many of its members to support the military campaign against Iran. He referred to the alliance as "a paper tiger," adding, "And Putin knows that too, by the way."
From the White House, the president stated that U.S. troops will withdraw "in two or three weeks," predicting the end of the conflict "very soon."
The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an international summit to discuss the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that peace talks with Iran are "very real" and gaining momentum.
Trump is scheduled to address Americans tonight in a televised speech with an "important update" on the situation in Iran.
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