Iran denies asking US to halt strikes, calls Trump’s claim ‘new lie’

Iran has denied claims by United States President Donald Trump that Tehran asked Washington to refrain from launching fresh attacks, describing the assertion as a “new lie” amid renewed uncertainty over efforts to end the conflict.

Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency, citing military sources, said on Sunday that Tehran did not request a halt to US military action, contrary to Mr Trump’s account. The sources said Iran’s armed forces remained on high alert and were prepared for any development.

The denial came after Mr Trump announced that the United States would hold off on further attacks on Iran, claiming that Tehran and several countries in the Middle East had requested more time to pursue a possible agreement.

Mr Trump said the decision to delay fresh military action was linked to what he described as progress towards a deal, although he indicated that the pause would depend on the ability of the parties to reach an agreement quickly.

However, Iranian military sources rejected the claim that Tehran had appealed to Washington to suspend the planned attacks.

The sources, quoted by Mehr, said Mr Trump’s assertion was “nothing but a new lie,” adding that Iran’s armed forces remained ready to respond to any eventuality.

The conflicting accounts have added to uncertainty over the status of diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, with the two sides offering sharply different explanations for the decision to postpone fresh US military action.

While Mr Trump has presented the delay as an opportunity to finalise an agreement, Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed that Tehran requested a pause or accepted the terms of any proposed deal.

The US president said any agreement would involve the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and measures aimed at addressing Washington’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic maritime route through which a significant share of the world’s seaborne oil and gas supplies passes, making developments around the waterway a major concern for global energy markets.

The latest exchange underscores the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran, as claims of diplomatic progress continue to be disputed by Iranian authorities.

As of Sunday, there was no independent confirmation that the two sides had reached a final agreement or that Iran had formally requested the United States to suspend further attacks.