Trump Denies Deal Reports, Says Iran Is Spreading Fake News

US President Donald Trump on Friday pushed back against Iranian media reports about a developing agreement between Washington and Tehran, saying the leaked terms do not match any written understandings. In a post on Truth Social, he said Iran had spread “fake news,” and called the Iranian statements “weak and pathetic,” adding that they “are not even close to the truth.” He argued that Tehran was trying to create a false impression of progress in the talks.

Trump also criticized Iran over a drone attack in the Strait of Hormuz that targeted Indian ships and was intercepted, calling it “completely unacceptable.” He warned Tehran to change what he described as its aggressive behavior in the region, writing, “They better get their act together, and FAST!” He said the US naval blockade of Hormuz would remain in place and that there would be no tolerance for further Iranian activity on shipping lanes.

A White House official told Fox News that sanctions relief would not come before Iran meets what the administration describes as strict obligations. Those conditions include destroying nuclear material, dismantling the nuclear program, stopping support for terrorism, and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. That account directly contradicts Iranian reports in the Mehr news agency, which said Washington had already agreed to a military withdrawal and a full end to sanctions on oil and frozen funds.

The reports came after Trump canceled planned military strikes on Iran at the last moment on Thursday, following intensive mediation by the leaders of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan. According to the mediation effort, the leaders told Trump that a framework deal was within reach and that they could influence Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Despite Trump’s optimism and his urging of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stay positive, Israeli officials remain skeptical and say no formal deal has been signed, only a memorandum of understanding so far.