Iranian media deny talks with Washington after Trump says discussions were productive

RIYADH, March 23 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Iranian semiofficial news agencies close to the Revolutionary Guard denied on Sunday that Tehran had held direct or indirect negotiations with Washington, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the two sides had held “very good and productive conversations” over the weekend.

Trump said on Truth Social that the United States and Iran had held discussions over the previous two days and that he had ordered a five-day postponement of threatened military strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure.

He said the decision was based on the “tone and tenor” of the talks, which he said would continue through the week.

Trump had earlier threatened to strike Iranian power plants by Monday evening if Tehran did not allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen.

Iranian outlets Fars and Tasnim rejected Trump’s account, saying no negotiations had taken place and none were under way.

“Since the start of the war, messages have been sent to Tehran by some mediators, but Iran’s clear response has been that it will continue its defense until the required level of deterrence is achieved,” Tasnim said.

“No negotiations have taken place and none are underway,” it added.

Tasnim said Trump’s remarks amounted to psychological warfare and said neither pre-war conditions in the Strait of Hormuz nor calm in energy markets would return through such pressure.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also denied negotiations with the United States, according to the state-owned IRAN newspaper.

The newspaper said Trump’s remarks were aimed at lowering energy prices and buying time for U.S. military plans.

“While there have been initiatives by regional countries to de-escalate tensions, Iran’s response has been clear: It did not start the war and all such requests should be directed to Washington,” the newspaper said.