US president Donald Trump has been waffling about peace talks amid his stalling war on Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have flatly denied that any discussions have taken place. One official even said that Iran was busy carrying out “complete and remorseful punishment” of its enemies.

The US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February in an unprovoked, unlawful strike. Omani officials revealed at the time that Iran had been offering unprecedented concessions during negotiations. The Pentagon has since stated there was no imminent threat from Iran. And the UN’s atomic watchdog, the IAEA, has said there is no evidence that Iran was developing a nuclear weapon.

In one interview posted on 23 March, Trump claimed that talks were already taking place:

NOW – Trump on Iran: “We’ve had very strong talks… they very much want to make a deal.” pic.twitter.com/zgZSQ1TXyy

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) March 23, 2026

When challenged on this claim, Trump said Iran needed better PR:

Well, they’re gonna have to get themselves better public relations people. We’ve had very strong talks. Mr Witkoff and Kushner had them. They went perfectly.

Q: Iran’s foreign ministry says you’re not telling the truth when it comes to productive conversations to end the war

TRUMP: Well, they’re gonna have to get themselves better public relations people. We’ve had very strong talks. Mr Witkoff and Kushner had them. They went… pic.twitter.com/LrCq8tCM6c

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 23, 2026

It was even claimed the US Republican leader had postponed further strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure due to these alleged talks.

Breaking news: Donald Trump has postponed his threatened attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure following ‘good and productive’ talks with Iran. https://t.co/3N8P9BbwjJ pic.twitter.com/QhBCfKeV26

— Financial Times (@FT) March 23, 2026

There was some evidence that energy markets had bounced back as a result of Trump’s comments:

Brent Crude prices fell 12% after President Trump announced constructive talks between US and Iran and postponed planned strikes on Iranian power plants pic.twitter.com/0GopBm6oSz

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 23, 2026

Al Jazeera reported:

The US president adds that the two ⁠sides have had “major points of agreement” during the talks he claims US officials have held with Iran.

Trump’s full interview on the supposed talks can be accessed here.

Iran denies talks

Yet Iran has completely rejected and contradicted Trump’s claims. Axioscited a source which said no negotiations had occurred:

BREAKING: Iran speaker named in Axios report says “no negotiations” taking place with U.S. in fresh posts

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf – identified in Axios reporting as a key figure in alleged backchannel talks – said moments ago on X that “no… https://t.co/ILywe6Amb9

— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) March 23, 2026

And Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf appears to be in no mood to negotiate:

No negotiations have been held with the US, and fake news is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.

One unnamed Iranian source told Al Jazeera that:

Trump “backed down” after being warned that Iran would target power plants across the Gulf and in Israel.

The report added that Trump had said talks with Iran were underway despite the source denying any such communication.

The outlet added that:

The claims could not be independently verified, and there has been no immediate comment from Iranian officials.

Trump threatened to hit Iranian energy infrastructure on 22 March:

If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST.

As is often the case, Trump’s abrupt shift from belligerence to unverified claims of progress in talks is difficult to decode. What is clear, however, is that the US war effort is stalling. The war is deeply unpopular domestically, and has, in effect, transformed Iran into an oil superpower—tightening its grip over one of the world’s most critical oil choke points.

Worse yet, America’s flagship aircraft carrier, the USS Ford, has limped to Crete for repairs after a serious fire. Meanwhile, US rivals like China are watching to see how they can turn this latest US blunder to their advantage.

Trump is known for believing he can shape reality through bullying, dealmaking, and cajoling. For now, that belief appears to have hit an Iran-shaped brick wall.

Featured image via the Canary

By Joe Glenton

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