Iran has hit back at Donald Trump, dismissing what it calls ‘fake’ claims about peace efforts, while also warning the US and its allies that it has ‘special plans’ in store.
Last month, the US and Israel carried out a coordinated strike on Iran, an attack that Iranian officials say resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Despite the leadership change that followed, Iran’s government has shown no sign of collapsing.
After the February 28 assault, Iran responded by launching missiles at US military sites in locations including Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar.
More recently, Trump warned he would target Iran’s energy network if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened.
The closure has driven global energy costs higher, with the Middle East conflict continuing to ripple far beyond the region.
Posting on Truth Social on Saturday (March 21), Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum and threatened major strikes on Iran’s power infrastructure.
“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!”
But in a follow-up message on Monday (March 23), Trump said he had told the US Department of Defense to hold off on military action after the prospect of peace talks was raised.
“They want very much to make a deal. We’d like to make a deal, too,” Trump added to reporters on Sunday (March 22).
He also suggested the pause would be short and conditional on progress over the next several days.
“We’re doing a five-day period, we’ll see how that goes. And if it goes well, we’re going to end up settling this. Otherwise, we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf pushed back, saying there had been no direct diplomatic engagement with Washington.
He also accused the US of using reports of negotiations to influence markets, particularly energy prices.
“Fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped,” he added on social media.
Meanwhile, the White House has indicated that no official meetings are currently on the calendar, but emphasized that the situation could shift quickly.
Karoline Leavitt, Press Secretary for the White House, told the BBC: “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the US will not negotiate through the press. This is a fluid situation, and speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final until they are formally announced by the White House.”
The latest exchange follows comments attributed to a source speaking to Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency, who suggested further action was being prepared against US partners in the region.
“Tonight, special events are planned for Tel Aviv and some regional allies of the US and Israel that will completely remove the hope of negotiations from the minds of the aggressors.”