Iran’s Ghalibaf rejects Trump’s negotiator claim, calls it ‘fake news’

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington is in contact with Iranian leadership through negotiators, calling the assertion “fake news”.

Ghalibaf said that no negotiations have taken place between Iran and the United States, dismissing Trump’s statements as misleading and aimed at shaping perceptions during the ongoing conflict.

The sharp response comes after Trump repeatedly claimed that the US was engaged in discussions with Iranian officials, including senior leadership figures, to reach a potential resolution to hostilities.

Rejecting these claims, Ghalibaf accused Washington of using information tactics to manipulate financial and oil markets, suggesting that such narratives were designed to deflect attention from the broader situation on the ground.

He further asserted that Iran’s position remains firm, with no willingness to engage under what it considers one-sided or coercive conditions. Iranian officials have consistently maintained that any resolution must align with their own terms and national interests.

The denial highlights a widening gap between statements from Washington and Tehran, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts of diplomatic engagement. While the US has signalled openness to negotiations, Iran has repeatedly denied the existence of any direct talks.

The development comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia, where the conflict has entered a prolonged phase marked by continued strikes on energy infrastructure, military targets and strategic locations across the region.

Global oil markets have remained highly sensitive to developments, with prices reacting sharply to statements from both US and Iranian leadership. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor, continues to face disruptions, further amplifying economic concerns.

Ghalibaf’s remarks also reflect internal political messaging within Iran, reinforcing a stance of resistance and signalling that the country is not engaging in backchannel diplomacy under pressure.

Despite claims from the US side about possible progress or indirect communication, Iran’s repeated denials suggest that any potential diplomatic breakthrough remains distant.

As the conflict continues, the absence of confirmed talks underscores the challenges in de-escalating tensions, with both sides maintaining hardline positions and little indication of immediate resolution.