US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he has not made any offers to Iran and that he is not personally involved in any talks with the country.
“Tell fake Democratic Senator Chris Coons that I am not offering anything to Iran or talking to them,” Trump said on social media, dismissing all allegations of his talks with Tehran.
He also criticized former President Barack Obama over the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which he called “stupid.”
Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the deal in 2018 paved the way for the current conflict with Iran over its nuclear program.
The US president also reiterated his claim that recent US strikes had effectively destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities, despite US intelligence reports suggesting the damage may actually have only set the program back by a few months.
“I haven’t spoken to them since we completely destroyed their nuclear facilities,” he said, referring to recent U.S. strikes on nuclear sites in Ford, Natanz and Isfahan.
Trump’s comments come amid an ongoing international debate over the fate of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and questions about a possible re-engagement in diplomacy.
Some U.S. officials have signaled openness to dialogue, but the president’s statements suggest a firm stance after recent escalations between the two nations.
Trump also released a message Sunday, apparently addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Make a deal in Gaza. Bring back the hostages,” Trump said.
