Trump rejects claims of sanctions relief offer to Iran

President Donald Trump on Monday denied reports that his administration offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen Iranian funds in exchange for concrete steps on Tehran’s nuclear programme, calling the claim a “hoax,” Al Jazeera reported.

“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 Truth Social, urging Axios to withdraw its report.

Axios, citing unnamed US officials, reported that Trump was willing to ease sanctions and release frozen Iranian funds in return for “concrete” Iranian steps regarding its nuclear programme. CNN separately reported a similar position, also citing an unidentified US official.

The conflicting accounts emerged as US and Iranian officials pursued indirect diplomacy through regional mediators in an effort to end the conflict and resolve disputes over Iran’s nuclear activities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Qatari mediators in New York on Monday, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was prepared for talks but would not accept “bullying or coercion”, according to Reuters.

The dispute over the reported offer comes amid continued tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.