Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). AP
On Monday, US President Donald Trump claimed in a post on his Truth Social that he had negotiated with Iran, saying, “I am pleased to report that the United States of America and the country of Iran have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.”
He added: “Based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”
The IRGC statement, carried on its Telegram channel, came minutes after Trump's Truth Social post.
In tandem, Iran’s Fars news agency cited security sources denying the claims, saying "there is no direct communication between Iran and the US, nor through intermediaries."
The source added that "Trump had walked back on his threats after learning that Iran would target all US-linked power plants across West Asia."
On Saturday, President Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran to "reopen" the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power plants across the country.
In a post on his Truth Social, Trump wrote, “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!”
On Sunday, in response to Trump's threats, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X, “Strait of Hormuz is not closed. Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated—not Iran,” the Iranian foreign minister said in a post on X on Sunday.
“No insurer—and no Iranian—will be swayed by more threats. Try respect,” he said.
Trump's threats to strike Iranian power plants on Saturday capped a week in which the US President declared that the "US won the war militarily," "was not interested in negotiating any ceasefire with Tehran," and that he would end the war when "he decides to do so."
Minutes after the Trump 48-hour ultimatum, the military operational command of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard fired back, stating that "in the case any attack by the enemy on Iran fuel or energy infrastructure, all energy facilities, communication networks, and water desalination plants linked to the US and Israel in the region would be targeted."
On Monday, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported, citing a security source, that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions as long as “psychological warfare continues,” confirming that Iran will continue to respond and defend its territory.
The source said, “No negotiations have taken place, and none will take place; with this kind of psychological warfare, the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war state, and stability will not return to energy markets.”
The source added, “Trump’s five-day ultimatum signals the continuation of this regime’s plans to commit crimes against the people, and we will continue to respond and defend the country with full force.”
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