USA signals optimism from 'talks', Iran dismisses them as 'fantasy'
A disagreement has emerged between the US and Iran regarding the existence of negotiations. While Donald Trump's envoy claims progress, Iranian officials flatly deny any contact, labeling the US president's statements as 'delusional'.
Jared Kushner, special envoy of US President Donald Trump, said on Monday evening that talks with Iran are better than ever, though no mutual understanding has been reached yet. Kushner, who met earlier with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his Middle East visit, stated that discussions are being held with "different parts" of the Iranian government. The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) were quick to deny this: "There are no talks; it is a lie that is nothing but a fantasy."
In an interview with Fox News, Kushner claimed that talks are occurring between American representatives and "parts" of the Iranian regime, but noted that active negotiations are primarily taking place between Tehran and mediators like Qatar and Oman, particularly regarding shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that mediators are exchanging messages, but emphasized: "This does not mean we are entering negotiations, and we have not yet made a decision on whether to renew them with the United States."
IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi was more blunt, telling the Tasnim news agency that "there are no talks between senior IRGC officials and the Americans. This lie of Trump's is nothing but a fantasy born of illusions resulting from defeat and despair in the war." He argued that Trump is attempting to manipulate oil prices and insisted that progress will only occur if Iran's conditions are met.
Danny Citrinowicz, former head of the Iran branch in the IDF's Research Division (Aman) and currently a senior researcher at the INSS, explained: "Even if there are disagreements in Tehran, there is a fairly broad consensus regarding the policy that should be adopted in negotiations with the US administration."
Meanwhile, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Iran wants a deal. "We are there for one reason: Iran must not have nuclear weapons, and it will not. After what we did with the B-2 bombers in Operation 'Midnight Hammer', building such a weapon will take them a long time." Regarding his threat to declare the Strait of Hormuz American territory, Trump called it an "excellent idea. We control the strait through the blockade. Iran is in big trouble; they have 300% inflation, the country is in a terrible state, and the army has been completely defeated."
