Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief as Ceasefire Efforts Resume

US President Donald Trump has denied reports that his administration offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen Iranian funds in exchange for progress on Tehran's nuclear programme, as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict entered a new phase.

Trump rejected the report on Monday, saying that he had offered Iran “nothing” and describing the report as false. The denial followed reports citing unnamed US officials that Washington was prepared to consider sanctions relief if Iran took concrete steps concerning its nuclear activities.

Washington and Tehran Resume Indirect Contacts

The dispute over the reported offer comes as US and Iranian officials continue communicating through mediators. Officials from both countries held separate discussions with mediators on Monday as efforts to revive negotiations gained momentum.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been involved in discussions with Qatari mediators, while Washington's negotiating team has been working through intermediaries. The talks are aimed at finding a way to end the conflict and address disagreements over Iran's nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran is prepared to discuss its nuclear programme but would not accept negotiations conducted under what he described as pressure or coercion. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are intended for peaceful purposes and denies seeking nuclear weapons.

Sanctions Relief Report Draws Trump Rebuttal

Reports from Axios and CNN said Trump was open to providing sanctions relief and releasing frozen Iranian funds if Tehran made measurable progress on its nuclear programme.

Trump disputed that account, saying no such offer had been made. The conflicting statements highlight the uncertainty surrounding the terms being discussed through intermediaries.

The reported proposal would have linked economic relief to nuclear commitments, while Washington has continued to insist that any agreement must address Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Strait of Hormuz Remains Central

The diplomatic efforts are also closely tied to the Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy route. Iran has made reopening the waterway part of its conditions for a broader settlement.

Iranian officials have proposed a process that would involve a pause in fighting and the reopening of the strait, but Trump has previously rejected Tehran's latest proposal.

The waterway has remained at the centre of the conflict because disruptions there have affected global oil and gas supplies. Oil prices have risen again as uncertainty over the negotiations and the security of regional energy shipments continues.

Iran Awaits US Position

Iranian officials have indicated that they are waiting for mediators to convey Washington's definitive position before deciding on their next steps. Araghchi has said that a negotiated settlement is necessary to resolve the current deadlock.

The latest developments come as the conflict enters its eighth month, with military confrontation continuing alongside diplomatic efforts. For now, Washington and Tehran remain divided over the terms of a potential agreement, while mediators continue working to bring the two sides toward renewed negotiations.