Trump claims on Iranian concessions trigger questions, rejections in Tehran | US-Israel war on Iran News
Tehran, Iran – Tensions have escalated among Iranian officials and supporters following remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding negotiations with Iran. His claims about securing concessions from Tehran prompted swift backlash from current and former Iranian leaders as well as media loyal to the Islamic Republic.
In a series of statements released Friday, Trump asserted that both the U.S. and Iran would collaboratively extract enriched uranium from bombed nuclear sites and transport it to the United States. He further claimed that Iran had agreed to halt uranium enrichment within its borders.
Trump also addressed the status of the Strait of Hormuz, stating that it had reopened and would remain so indefinitely. Meanwhile, he noted that a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports was still in effect, although some sea mines had reportedly been removed.
The president emphasized that due to U.S. sanctions, Iran would not regain access to billions of dollars in frozen assets. He also asserted that a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon had no connection to Iran.
Against the backdrop of ongoing mediation efforts by Pakistan, Mohamad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, denounced Trump’s remarks. “With these falsehoods, they will not win the war or achieve success in negotiations,” he wrote on social media platform X.
By Saturday afternoon, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement indicating that the Strait of Hormuz remained heavily monitored and restricted due to what it described as U.S. acts of “piracy and maritime theft.”
A Divided Response
The gap between Trump’s announcements and the subsequent responses from Iranian officials sparked confusion and concern among supporters of the Iranian government. Ezzatollah Zarghami, a member of the Supreme Cyberspace Council, criticized the lack of transparency about ongoing negotiations.
Alireza Zakani, the hardline mayor of Tehran, cautioned that if any of Trump’s claims were accurate, the Iranian establishment should be wary of making concessions that could benefit adversaries.
Twitter accounts supporting ultrahardline figures, such as Saeed Jalili, expressed doubts about the Iranian leadership’s handling of the situation. One account suggested that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei should address the public directly to clarify the misunderstanding, although the account was later deleted by Jalili’s official page, which labeled it a sign of external influence aiming to create discord.
Subsequently, Iranian state media released a statement attributed to Khamenei, marking Army Day without addressing the discussions with the U.S.
Media Discontent
State television and affiliated news sources displayed evident discontent regarding Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s earlier comments about the Strait of Hormuz. Several hosts on state-run channels criticized his tweet, which they felt lacked clarity and direct outreach to the Iranian public, who have limited internet access due to ongoing restrictions.
Morteza Mahmoudvand, a parliamentary representative from Tehran, suggested that Araghchi would face impeachment were it not for the ongoing conflict.
The Fars and Tasnim news agencies, both connected to the IRGC, also demanded further explanations from Araghchi, expressing concern that the Iranian populace was left in a “haze of confusion.”
Public Sentiment
Discontent among the Iranian populace was palpable on social media and messaging platforms, as many voiced dissatisfaction with their government’s perceived concessions to the U.S. Users expressed anger over the continued hardships imposed by sanctions, questioning the rationale behind giving up strategic assets.
Criticism extended to various analysts and public figures, including Hossein Shariatmadar, head of the conservative Kayhan newspaper, who echoed calls for accountability among Iranian leaders.
Despite the political turmoil and ongoing negotiations, the Iranian government continues to organize pro-government demonstrations. State media released footage of armed convoys in Tehran, showcasing support for allied groups, including Hezbollah and Iraq’s Hashd al-Shaabi.
As economic woes persist—exacerbated by an extended internet shutdown—oil prices fell prior to the close of Western markets on Friday, with the Iranian rial fluctuating significantly against the U.S. dollar. On Saturday, the currency was valued at approximately 1.46 million against the dollar, climbing to around 1.51 million following the IRGC’s announcement regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
