Trump Denies Report of Sanctions Relief Offer to Iran

President Donald Trump has denied a report by Axios suggesting he was willing to offer Iran sanctions relief and to unfreeze Iranian funds, saying the claim was false.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said Axios had published a story claiming he “offered Sanctions Relief and Frozen Funds to Iran”, adding that the report was untrue. He said he had “offered them NOTHING” and accused the outlet of publishing a hoax.

Axios Says Mediators Pursue Talks

Axios reported that the potential relief was linked to efforts by mediators from Qatar and Pakistan to arrange a deal between Washington and Tehran. According to the outlet, they met with Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in New York on Monday, with the Qatari mediators expected to speak with the Trump administration later on Monday or on Tuesday.

A US official who spoke to Axios described the indirect discussions as “positive and constructive”. The official said Iran had indicated it was flexible on nuclear issues, but added that no agreement would be reached unless Iran’s nuclear programme was addressed.

The source also said the two sides remained apart on key practical questions, including when commitments would be made and who would take steps first.

Trump Rejected Iran’s Peace Proposal

Axios said the reported offer came after Trump rejected Iran’s seven-day peace proposal on Saturday. The Iranian proposal would have included reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a ceasefire covering all hostilities, and the resumption of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Separately, Trump said on Sunday that US officials would negotiate with Iran during the week. He told Axios that Iran wanted a deal, but that it was not the agreement he wanted. He also said he was “always thinking” about resuming strikes on Iran, noting that the war had reached seven months on Monday.

Tehran Seeks US Concessions

Officials in Tehran have been seeking several concessions from the United States, the Associated Press reported. Those demands included ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, providing waivers on sanctions affecting Iranian oil sales, and extending any ceasefire to Lebanon. AP said these concessions formed part of the rejected seven-day proposal.

In remarks reported earlier, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump turned down the offer because Iran was seeking “everything up front”. Waltz said Iran was requesting relief from sanctions imposed under a US operation, as well as “snapback” measures tied to United Nations decisions that have been in place for years.

Join the discussion?

29 September 2026