Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief as Tehran Says It Is Ready for Talks

President Donald Trump denied reports that his administration had offered Iran sanctions relief or access to frozen funds in exchange for steps on its nuclear program, as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remained open to negotiations.

“Axios just released a story that ‘Trump’ offered Sanctions Relief and Frozen Funds to Iran,” Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social. “This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING.” Reuters also reported Trump’s denial. Axios and CNN had cited unidentified U.S. officials as saying he was willing to provide relief as part of a final agreement if Iran made “concrete progress” on the nuclear issue.

Pezeshkian told CBS’s *Face the Nation* that Iran was prepared to discuss its nuclear program and other matters but would not accept “bullying or coercion.” He said Iran was not seeking war but would defend itself against threats and attacks, and reiterated that Tehran had agreed not to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon and says it has a right to a domestic civilian nuclear-energy program. Trump has cited preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb among the goals of the seven-month war.

U.S. and Iranian officials held separate discussions with mediators Monday in a renewed effort to end the conflict, according to officials from both countries. Trump has not ruled out further U.S. strikes, while Iranian officials have continued to reject Washington’s characterization of Tehran’s nuclear aims.