Iran has denied U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Tehran requested a ceasefire, calling his remarks false and baseless.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on state television on Thursday that "President Trump's remarks regarding a ceasefire request are false and baseless," according to Reuters.
Earlier that day, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social, stating that "the New Regime President of Iran just asked the United States for a ceasefire." Trump described the person who requested the ceasefire as "far less radical and smarter than his predecessors," adding, "When the Strait of Hormuz is open, free, and secured, we will consider it." He continued, "Until then, we will totally obliterate Iran," emphasizing that "they are going back to the Stone Age."
It remains unclear whether the "New Regime President" Trump referred to is Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Pezeshkian previously told António Costa, president of the European Council, that he had "the will necessary to end this conflict, provided essential conditions are met, particularly guarantees against the recurrence of aggression."
A day earlier, Trump said, "All I have to do is leave Iran and we will be leaving soon," suggesting military operations against Iran would end "within two to three weeks." Trump is scheduled to deliver an address to the nation on the Iran war at 9 p.m. Thursday (10 a.m. Friday Korea time).
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