A senior Iranian official has publicly and forcefully denied that any negotiations are taking place with the United States, directly contradicting recent claims by US President Donald Trump that the two sides had engaged in 'productive' discussions aimed at easing escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Iran Shoots Down Trump's Claims of 'Very Good and Productive Talks'
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and a key figure within the country's political leadership, dismissed reports that there were any positive communications with the US.
'No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped,' Qalibaf wrote on his official X account.
2/ No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) March 23, 2026
In a previous post, the Iranian official pushed for justice.
'Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors,' Qalibaf wrote. 'All Irainan officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and people until this goal is achieved.'
Donald Trump's Claims About 'Productive Talks'
Qalibaf's statement is certainly a stark contrast to Trump's earlier post on his Truth Social platform where the US president claimed that he postponed a threat to bomb Iran's power grid after he engaged in 'very good and productive' discussion about the 'complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East'. The president also announced a temporary pause on other planned US strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, a move he said was influenced by the alleged diplomatic progress.
The conflicting narratives come as tensions in the region remain at a critical level. The ongoing conflict, involving Iran, the United States and Israel, has already resulted in thousands of casualties and significant damage to infrastructure across multiple countries. Iran has also threatened to further disrupt global energy supplies, including by restricting access to the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for the world's oil.
Despite Tehran's firm denial of direct negotiations, reports indicate that indirect diplomatic efforts may still be underway. Regional powers such as Pakistan, Egypt and several Gulf states are believed to be acting as intermediaries, attempting to facilitate communication between Washington and Tehran in hopes of preventing further escalation.
Will The US Ultimately Enter Peace Talks With Iran?
Financial markets have reacted sharply to the mixed signals. Trump's initial remarks about potential talks briefly eased investor concerns, leading to fluctuations in oil prices and global stocks. However, Iran's swift denial has renewed uncertainty, highlighting the fragile and rapidly evolving nature of the crisis.
The dispute over whether negotiations are taking place underscores broader mistrust between the two nations. While the US has expressed optimism about a possible diplomatic resolution, Iranian leaders have framed such claims as part of a broader strategy of psychological and economic pressure.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains unclear whether any form of dialogue, direct or indirect, will lead to a meaningful breakthrough. For now, both sides appear entrenched in their positions, with military threats and diplomatic ambiguity shaping one of the most volatile geopolitical crises in recent years.
