Iran dismisses US contact reports as 'completely false,' slams Axios

2026-03-16 - 22:12

Iran has categorically rejected recent reports suggesting contact with the United States, describing the claims as entirely fabricated. An informed Iranian source told the semi-official Tasnim News Agency that Axios reports about communications between the two sides were "incorrect and unrealistic," characterizing the outlet as known for publishing "fake news" regarding Iran-US relations. Accusations of Washington negotiating tactics The source asserted that as military and economic pressure mounts on President Donald Trump, his administration is resorting to "signals of negotiations" in the political arena to influence global energy markets. Meanwhile, the source emphasized that US military operations and destruction targeting Iranian citizens "have not decreased but are increasing," contradicting any notion of de-escalation. The remarks come amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes against Iran that have killed approximately 1,200 people, including a former Iranian leader, since the campaign began on Feb. 28. Deep distrust of US promises Iran's position reflects profound skepticism toward American assurances, with the source stating Tehran has "no trust" in Trump's promises. The source alleged that the US leader had "at least twice disrupted progressing negotiations with similar claims and attacked Iran," pointing to a pattern of diplomatic overtures followed by military action. Any potential agreement, the source stressed, would be unacceptable if it fails to secure the "long-term national security interests" of Iran and its regional partners. New regional reality emerging The source also indicated that the regional landscape has fundamentally shifted, stating the situation "will certainly not return to what it was before the war." Iran has been responding to US-Israeli operations with drone and missile strikes targeting what it describes as "US military assets" across Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, signaling a protracted confrontation. Tehran's firm denial of US contacts and its conditions for any future negotiations suggest that diplomatic breakthroughs remain distant as fighting continues.