USA: President Donald Trump on Monday rejected a report by news outlet Axios saying he had offered Iran relief from sanctions and the release of frozen funds as the war in the Middle East continues.
“Axios just released a story that ‘Trump’ offered Sanctions Relief and Frozen Funds to Iran. This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Axios reported that Trump was willing to ease sanctions and release Iran’s frozen money in return for clear steps from Iran on its nuclear program. The report quoted unnamed US officials.
Trump, 80, called the report “a HOAX” and said the news site should take it back.
The response came as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was expected to meet with Qatari mediators in New York on Monday.
US and Iranian officials met last week in New York during the UN General Assembly.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported on Monday that Tehran had no more direct talks planned with Washington.
On Saturday, Trump publicly rejected Iran’s offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
On Sunday, Trump told Axios he expected talks to start again in the coming days.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key route in the conflict. The narrow waterway usually carries one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied gas.
Iran has effectively blocked the route since the war began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28.
Prices for gas and other goods in the US have risen sharply since the war began. Trump’s support in national polls has fallen, and his party is worried about losing its majority in Congress in November’s midterm elections.
Reported By: Our Correspondent I US
