Iran’s Fars says no direct or indirect talks with US, disputes Trump

2026-03-23 - 13:00

MEHR says Donald Trump’s remarks are meant to decrease energy prices and gain time for his military plans.(AFP pic) DOHA: Iran’s Fars news agency, citing a source, said there are no direct or indirect communications with the United States, despite US President Donald Trump’s recent statement about “productive” talks with Tehran. Fars also said Trump backed down on targeting Iranian power plants after Iran warned it would target power plants across West Asia. Iran’s MEHR news agency, citing the Foreign Ministry, said there are initiatives to reduce tensions, but Tehran insists the US should act as interlocutor as it did not initiate the war. MEHR also said Trump’s remarks are meant to decrease energy prices and gain time for his military plans. Trump said Monday he will hold off on attacking Iranian power plants for five days after “very good” talks with Tehran. Hours before the expiration of his two-day ultimatum — in which he threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power infrastructure if it did not reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz — Trump suddenly reported with little detail that diplomacy was underway, after he earlier shunned talks.