Iran's Foreign Ministry told the world's media on Monday not to take President Donald Trump's claims about peace deal progress seriously, calling American statements contradictory and inaccurate.
Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said he "would encourage the media to be more cautious in taking American statements seriously," adding, "You have seen how frequently they change their positions and make inaccurate statements."
Baghaei confirmed that communication between the two countries was ongoing but pushed back on Trump's characterization of its pace and direction. "From the beginning, we said that the exchange of messages was continuing, but that no final agreement had been reached," he said.
The spokesperson acknowledged that the conflicting signals coming from Washington could be a deliberate tactic, but said it would have no effect. "These contradictions may be part of their negotiating strategy, but if so, it will not work with the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said. "We remain focused on our interests and rights and will not be distracted by the contradictory statements." He added that if the contradictions reflected dysfunction within the American governing system, "then that is a problem the United States must solve."
Baghaei's statement came after Trump posted a series of messages on Truth Social over the weekend and into Monday. On Sunday evening, Trump wrote that Iran "really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us." Hours later, he posted that talks were "continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Trump also used the posts to push back against domestic critics. "But don't the Dumocrats, and various seemingly unpatriotic Republicans, understand that it is MUCH tougher for me to properly do my job and negotiate, when political hacks keep negatively 'chirping,' at levels never seen before, over and over again, that I should move faster, or move slower, or go to war, or not go to war, or whatever," he wrote. "Just sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end – It always does!"
Trump also claimed over the weekend that he had persuaded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call off what he described as "a major raid of Beirut, Lebanon." According to Rolling Stone, Iran reportedly suspended talks with the United States on Monday.
A representative for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Wrap.
