Iran rejects claims of seeking talks with the US
Iran has refuted claims that it has sought negotiations with the United States, following remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting otherwise. The denial comes amid heightened regional tensions after a series of unprecedented military strikes between Iran and Israel last month.
Iran denies US negotiation request
Speaking to the Tasnim news agency on Tuesday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated, "No request for a meeting has been made on our side to the American side." His comments contradicted Trump’s assertion that Iran was eager to engage in talks.
On Monday, Trump told reporters at the White House, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "We have scheduled Iran talks. They want to talk... They’re very different now than they were two weeks ago." However, no specifics regarding the timing or location of these purported discussions were disclosed.
The remarks come in the wake of a devastating conflict between Iran and Israel. On June 13, Israel launched an extensive bombing campaign targeting Iranian military and nuclear installations, including residential areas. The strikes claimed the lives of senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists. Days later, on June 22, the United States joined Israel in coordinated attacks on key Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.
Domestic backlash against Iranian leadership
The fallout from last month’s escalation has fueled fierce debate within Iran. President Masoud Pezeshkian has drawn criticism for suggesting renewed talks with the United States could be a step forward. During an interview with U.S. commentator Tucker Carlson, Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran was open to dialogue if trust between the two nations could be rebuilt.
His remarks were met with sharp criticism from hardline factions in Iran. The conservative Kayhan newspaper accused Pezeshkian of forgetting "that these same Americans, together with the Zionists, used the negotiations to buy time and prepare for the attack." Similarly, the Javan daily criticized the president’s tone as "too soft," arguing that such comments failed to reflect public distrust of the U.S.
Reformist voices, however, offered a contrasting perspective. The Ham Mihan newspaper praised Pezeshkian’s willingness to engage with international media, calling it a "positive approach." The editorial noted that Iranian officials had been absent from the global media landscape for too long, suggesting that the interview was a step toward shaping international opinion.
Aftermath of the conflict
The June conflict resulted in significant casualties for both sides. Iranian authorities reported at least 1,060 fatalities from Israeli strikes, while Israeli officials confirmed 28 deaths from retaliatory Iranian drone and missile attacks. A ceasefire has been in effect since June 24, but tensions remain high as both sides continue to trade accusations.
The stalled nuclear negotiations, initially scheduled for mid-June, remain uncertain. While some factions in Iran advocate for engagement, hardliners insist that trust in the U.S. is irreparable following last month’s attacks, complicating prospects for diplomacy.
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