The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

    'I offered nothing': Trump rejects report of Iran sanctions relief, frozen funds offer

    Synopsis

    Donald Trump refuted reports regarding an alleged offer of sanctions relief to Iran for nuclear concessions. Reports suggested that discussions included releasing frozen Iranian funds contingent on concrete steps by Tehran. The war involving Iran has prompted discussions between US and Iranian officials with mediators. Iran asserts its right to pursue nuclear technology while denying ambitions for nuclear weapons.

    Listen to this article in summarized format

    Trump denies offering Iran sanctions relief for nuclear concessionsReuters
    Trump denies offering Iran sanctions relief for nuclear concessions
    US President Donald Trump on Monday rejected reports that he had offered Iran sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian funds in exchange for concessions on its nuclear programme.

    “This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, responding to an Axios report that cited US officials as saying he was willing to offer sanctions relief and release frozen Iranian funds in return for “concrete” steps from Tehran on the nuclear issue.

    Axios did not name the US officials cited in its report.


    Also Read: Trump offers Iran sanctions relief, frozen funds for concrete nuclear progress

    CNN separately reported, citing an unidentified US official, that Trump was prepared to offer sanctions relief and release frozen Iranian funds as part of a final agreement, provided Iran made “concrete progress” on the nuclear issue.

    Trump has set out changing goals and timelines for the war with Iran, which began on February 28 after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Tehran responded with strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases.

    The conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

    US and Iranian officials held separate talks with mediators on Monday as efforts resumed to bring an end to the seven-month war, officials from both countries said.

    Trump has identified the weakening of Iran’s nuclear capabilities as one of the objectives of the war.

    Iran does not possess nuclear weapons and denies seeking to develop them. Tehran maintains that, as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it has the right to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The US is a nuclear-armed country.

    Add ET Logo as a Reliable and Trusted News Source

    (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
    The Economic Times

    Stories you might be interested in