Iran denies US talks as strikes continue and troops deploy

Iran’s military said on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, that it is not in negotiations with the United States to end the current conflict, directly contradicting statements made by US President Donald Trump from the White House.

The denial came from Ebrahim Zolfaqari, a spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. He said the United States was “negotiating with itself” and rejected any US description of an agreement as inaccurate.

Conflicting messages on diplomacy

Trump had said Washington was speaking with “the right people” in Iran who wanted a deal. He also previously warned that Iranian power plants could be targeted if the Strait of Hormuz was not fully reopened.

Trump later postponed any planned strike by five days, citing diplomatic progress. Iranian officials, however, have repeatedly denied that such engagement is taking place, leaving the status of any channel between the two governments unclear based on publicly available statements.

Reported peace plan details

US media reports, including The Wall Street Journal, said Washington sent Tehran a 15-point peace proposal. The reported package included demands that Iran dismantle nuclear sites, halt uranium enrichment, pause ballistic missile programs, and limit regional support.

In exchange, the reported plan offered sanctions relief and US support for Iran’s civilian nuclear program. Iran’s military statement did not confirm receiving or discussing such a proposal, and no mutually acknowledged negotiating framework was described in the available information.

Military operations continue

While the diplomatic narratives diverged, fighting continued. Iran’s Fars news agency said Israeli strikes hit infrastructure in Tehran and caused at least 12 deaths and 28 injuries in Varamin.

Iran responded with missile launches aimed at Israeli cities including Safad, Tel Aviv, Kiryat Shmona, and Bnei Brak. The source material does not provide independent verification of damage assessments in Israel or additional casualty figures beyond the Varamin report.

US force posture and market sensitivity

Separately, the United States was preparing to send at least 1,000 more soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. That would add to roughly 50,000 US troops already in the region, according to the information provided.

The combination of disputed diplomacy, ongoing strikes, and additional US deployments keeps attention on regional security and shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz is a key maritime corridor, and statements linking it to potential strikes underscore why energy markets and global trade participants closely track developments, even when official accounts conflict.