Iran rejects claims of direct talks with US

Iran on Monday firmly denied engaging in direct negotiations with the United States after Donald Trump said Washington had held 'productive' discussions with Iranian officials, prompting him to delay planned military action targeting Iran’s power infrastructure.

Tehran dismissed the claim, maintaining that no direct contact had taken place. However, diplomatic sources in Europe indicated that indirect communication channels remain active, with countries such as Egypt, Pakistan and several Gulf states passing messages between the two sides to ease tensions.
Officials familiar with the matter said there is growing momentum for potential face-to-face talks, possibly hosted in Islamabad in the coming days. While neither side has confirmed such plans, regional mediators appear to be stepping up efforts to prevent further escalation.
Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that recent exchanges had been 'very good and productive,' raising hopes of a broader agreement to reduce hostilities in the Middle East. He subsequently postponed, by five days, a threatened strike on Iran’s energy grid.
The announcement had an immediate impact on global markets. Oil prices, which had surged amid fears of conflict, dropped sharply below $100 per barrel, while stock markets rebounded on expectations of de-escalation.
Trump later told reporters that his envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner had held extended discussions with a senior Iranian figure. Sources suggested the individual could be Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a key power broker in Tehran.
Despite the optimistic tone from Washington, uncertainty remains high, with analysts warning that the situation could shift rapidly if diplomacy fails.