Senior Iranian officials formally denied claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Washington and Tehran are engaged in productive negotiations to end the ongoing conflict. The denials on Monday, March 23, 2026, follow an abrupt decision by the U.S. to postpone planned military strikes against Iranian power plants for a five-day period.
The diplomatic standoff occurs as the U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Iran enters its fourth week, with the Israeli military launching a fresh wave of attacks on Tehran on Monday. The conflict has severely disrupted global shipping, effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz and contributing to international energy prices surging to $112 a barrel.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a statement Monday rejecting the negotiation claims. Ghalibaf stated the claims are meant to manipulate oil markets and “escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei further clarified that Tehran had only received messages from friendly intermediary nations regarding American requests for dialogue.
The confusion over negotiations began Monday morning when Trump published a social media post instructing the Defense Department to delay strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. Trump cited ongoing discussions with a “top person” in Iran as the reason for the five-day pause.
The delayed strikes represent a rapid de-escalation from Saturday, when the U.S. issued a 48-hour ultimatum threatening to obliterate Iranian power facilities if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels.
In response to the weekend ultimatum, Iran’s military warned it would irreversibly destroy vital U.S.-linked infrastructure across the Persian Gulf, including regional desalination plants and oil facilities.
While direct talks are denied, regional actors including Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey are actively working as intermediaries. University of Tehran professor Hassan Ahmadian noted the U.S. administration may be utilizing the mediation efforts as an avenue to step back from the weekend ultimatum without initiating further conflict.
Iran denies US talks while Trump claims 'productive' discussions classic elite deception to manipulate markets & delay strikes. Boycott the war profiteers & oil giants pushing conflict. Wallet resistance now. #BoycottScum #Justice pic.twitter.com/n4JljxBd98
— VoiceOfJustice (@OfVoice49652) March 23, 2026
The ongoing violence, which escalated following initial U.S.-Israeli strikes in February 2026, has choked off a waterway normally responsible for 20 percent of global oil transit. Commercial vessels have entirely abandoned the route amid continuous drone and missile strikes.