Tehran has firmly denied that any negotiations with the United States have taken place since the start of the ongoing war, directly contradicting a claim made by former US President Donald Trump.
In a live blog update on March 23, 2026, Iranian officials stated that “no negotiations or discussions” have occurred with the US since hostilities began. This response came after Trump claimed that the US and Iran had held “very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.”
The denial adds a new layer of tension to the conflict, which has already seen threats of disrupting one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. Iranian leaders have previously warned that they would take drastic action if their infrastructure is targeted.
Key Points from the Latest Update:
Negotiation Denial: Iran says no talks of any kind have happened with the US since the war’s start.
Trump’s Claim: Trump asserted that productive conversations were underway for a “complete and total resolution.”
Strait of Hormuz Threat: Reinforcing earlier warnings, Tehran has vowed to “completely close” the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for about 20% of the world’s oil—if its power plants are hit in the ongoing conflict.
The standoff continues to raise global concerns about energy security and the potential for a wider regional war. As of now, there is no confirmation of any back-channel communications between the two long-time adversaries.
Published: 23 March 2026
