Tehran Rejects Trump’s Peace Talks Claims as ‘Fake News’
Tehran: Iranian officials have firmly dismissed US President Donald Trump’s assertions of ongoing peace discussions, labelling them as “fake news” designed to manipulate energy markets and buy time for military preparations.
According to reports from Tehran carried by Iranian media including Fars news agency, Iran has denied any direct or indirect negotiations with the United States. Parliamentary speaker Mohamed Bagher Ghalibaf described the claims as manipulation of financial and oil markets, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard called Trump a “deceitful American president” whose statements would not distract from the ongoing conflict.
Deputy parliamentary speaker Ali Nikzad, quoted by Fars news agency, urged a strong stance against talks with Trump, branding him a “liar without honour” and demanding clarity on who supposedly engaged in negotiations. He referenced past US actions during earlier rounds of talks in 2025.
Despite Trump’s announcement extending an ultimatum by five days and pausing strikes on Iranian power plants, fresh attacks persisted. A US-Israeli strike north of Tehran killed Iranian academic Dr. Saeed Shamghadari, a professor at Iran University of Science and Technology, along with his son Mohammad and daughter Reyhaneh. Press TV reported the incident, which the university termed a “profound tragedy”. Israel has previously targeted academics allegedly linked to Iran’s weapons programme.
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Iranian state media also confirmed strikes on energy-related facilities in Isfahan and Khorramshahr on Monday, though the exact timing relative to Trump’s extension remains unclear.
On the military front, the Israeli military reported intercepting a new wave of missiles fired from Iran. Kuwait’s army activated air defences multiple times within hours to counter incoming missiles and drones, with explosions reported from interceptions. KUNA news agency noted power outages in Kuwait caused by debris damaging transmission lines.
Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said it destroyed 19 drones targeting the Eastern Province. Alarm sirens sounded repeatedly in Bahrain, prompting residents to seek shelter.
In Iraq, a US strike in Anbar province killed senior commander Saad Dawai (also referred to as Saad Duwai al-Baiji) of an Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces group during a meeting at its headquarters.
International reactions reflected growing concern. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the release of oil from national stockpiles starting March 26 to safeguard energy supplies. South Korea’s government cancelled high-level trips, imposed fuel price caps, and launched energy-saving measures amid heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
China’s embassy in Israel urged its citizens to evacuate immediately due to escalating missile and drone attacks. Asian stock markets showed partial recovery, with South Korea’s KOSPI rising over 3.6% and Japan’s Nikkei gaining nearly 1.7%, as some investors hoped for de-escalation.
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticised the war, citing a sharp 75% rise in American petrol prices and calling for an end to the conflict. Energy experts, including OMV CEO Alfred Stern speaking to Reuters, warned that the impact of the Iran war on global supplies could surpass that of the 2022 Ukraine conflict.
As exchanges of fire continue and diplomatic denials mount, the situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile with potential for further escalation in the coming days.