US President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for concessions on its nuclear programme, as Tehran says it remains open to negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
Trump rejected reports from US media that his administration was considering easing economic restrictions if Iran made concrete progress on nuclear issues. He said he had offered Tehran “nothing,” while continuing to demand that Iran not develop nuclear weapons.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, said Tehran was prepared to hold talks over its nuclear programme and other issues but would not accept pressure or coercion. Iranian officials have maintained that diplomacy is the only way to resolve the confrontation.
US and Iranian officials have been communicating separately through mediators, including Qatar, in another effort to find a possible path toward ending the fighting. No agreement has been reached, and the two sides remain divided over the conditions for a settlement.
A major issue in the discussions is the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy route. Iran has proposed a framework involving a pause in fighting and reopening the waterway after its conditions are addressed. Trump rejected an earlier version of the proposal, while Iranian officials said they were awaiting a formal response through mediators.
The dispute over possible sanctions relief reflects the wider difficulty of reaching a diplomatic settlement. Reports of potential concessions have not translated into a confirmed US offer, while Tehran continues to seek negotiations that address the conflict, sanctions and its nuclear programme.
Oil markets have also been closely watching the diplomatic developments. Continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz has contributed to higher energy prices and concerns over global supplies.
For now, indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran are continuing through mediators, but the positions publicly stated by both sides show that significant differences remain before any broader agreement can be reached.
