EXPLAINERTrump claims talks on with Iran, as he holds off on energy attacks, but Tehran denies any negotiations as US-Israel attacks on Iran, and Iran’s strikes on Gulf nations, continue. Published On 24 Mar 202624 Mar 2026The war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran entered its 25th day on Tuesday, as conflicting claims emerged over possible peace talks.US President Donald Trump said Washington was holding discussions with Tehran and suggested a broader agreement could be reached, but Iranian officials rejected the claims, accusing the US of trying to buy time as it deploys more forces to the region.Recommended Stories list of 1 itemend of listTrump also ordered the US military to postpone planned strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days.Meanwhile, Iran fired a new missile barrage at Israel, Gulf countries reported repeated drone and missile interceptions, and fighting intensified in Lebanon and Iraq.Here is what we know:In Iran
Trump’s claims: Trump claimed that discussions are ongoing with Iran to reach a broader peace agreement, stating that “Iran means business.”
Iran’s denial: Iranian officials firmly rejected these claims, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and parliamentary leaders calling the statements “fake news” and a “big lie”. Iranian officials have accused the US of fabricating these claims to manipulate global oil and financial markets, and to buy time as more US troops deploy to the region.
US ultimatum: Over the weekend, Trump had issued a 48-hour deadline demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He threatened to “obliterate” Iranian power plants if Tehran failed to comply. On Monday, the deadline was extended for five days.
Strait of Hormuz remains closed: Despite international pressure and severe economic fallout in Asia, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi iterated that Iran’s stance on the Strait of Hormuz had not changed.
US motivations and political pressures: Niall Stanage, a White House columnist for The Hill, suggests that Trump may be looking for an “exit ramp” because the war has been domestically unpopular and is causing significant economic pain, particularly through rising oil and fuel prices.
Iranian suspicion and strategy: Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Vall noted that Iranian officials and state media are firmly projecting what he described as the “power of defiance”. Vall explained that Tehran harbours dee …
