Iran denies asking US to halt strikes, accuses trump of lying
By Taiwo Scholarstica
Iran has denied asking the United States to suspend planned military strikes, accusing US President Donald Trump of giving a false account of events amid rising tensions between the two countries.
The denial followed Trump’s claim that Tehran had reached out to Washington to seek a halt to possible fresh attacks.
Iranian officials dismissed the claim, maintaining that the country had neither requested a pause in military action nor sought Trump’s intervention to prevent further strikes.
The development has further heightened uncertainty over the possibility of renewed conflict between the United States and Iran, as both sides continue to issue conflicting statements over diplomatic contacts and military plans.
Trump had earlier indicated that the US was prepared to take further military action against Iran but that the decision had been temporarily put on hold following what he described as appeals from Tehran and other countries in the region.
The US president’s position suggested that diplomatic efforts could still be used to resolve the crisis and prevent another round of military confrontation.
However, Iran’s latest response contradicted the account, with officials in Tehran insisting that the country remained firm in its position and was not responsible for any request to stop potential US strikes.
An Iranian official reportedly dismissed Trump’s claim, saying it was “nothing but a new lie.”
The Iranian authorities also maintained that the country’s military remained on alert and prepared to respond to any attack.
Trump, while defending his position, reportedly said, “They asked us not to strike.”
The conflicting claims have raised fresh concerns about the possibility of an escalation, particularly as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran appear fragile.
The disagreement also reflects the deep mistrust between the two countries, which have remained at odds over military activities, regional security and broader political issues.
While Washington has continued to signal that a diplomatic solution remains possible, Tehran’s rejection of Trump’s account suggests that there is still no clear agreement between both sides on how to de-escalate the situation.
Iranian officials have continued to project confidence in the country’s ability to defend itself, while the United States has maintained that it will take necessary steps to protect its interests.
The latest development is expected to increase pressure on diplomatic channels seeking to prevent further hostilities in the region.
For now, the conflicting accounts from Washington and Tehran have left the situation uncertain, with the possibility of renewed military action still hanging over the region.