Trump denied offering Iran sanctions relief and frozen funds. Then he demanded Axios withdraw its story ‘IMMEDIATELY’

President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that he did not offer Iran sanctions relief or frozen funds. He wrote that an Axios story making that claim was untrue. Trump said he offered Iran “NOTHING.”

He also said Axios should pull the article. In the same post, he told the outlet to withdraw “this fake story, IMMEDIATELY.” The post named a Monday report by Axios writer Barak Ravid. That report cited U.S. officials as saying Trump is prepared to ease sanctions and unfreeze Iranian funds in exchange for concessions from Tehran on its nuclear program.

Ravid wrote that one official described the talks as “positive and constructive.” The official said Iran “has indicated they are flexible on the nuclear issues.” The official also said no deal will be possible “unless the nuclear issues are addressed.”

Ravid’s report tied any relief to nuclear concessions

The same official added, “The U.S. position gets stronger every day, and President Trump remains patient and fully committed to his goal that Iran never have a nuclear weapon.”

Axios reported that Qatari mediators met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York on Monday. The outlet said the mediators are expected to meet Trump administration officials later Monday or Tuesday.

Mediaite points out that Trump’s post came on the day he had already criticized what he called “FAKE NEWS” from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. He had imposed a press ban that has since been temporarily halted by the court, but he is still refusing Air Force One access to CNN.

Trump rejected an Iran-pitched deal on Friday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In his United Nations General Assembly speech last week, he contemplated whether or not to “annihilate” Iran. The administration has sought other methods to pressure Iran, such as when it looked for creative ways to punish the country.  

The same account said members of his own party have called for the war to end as soon as possible. Trump’s Monday post did not address those points. It focused on denying the Axios description of any financial offer.

He wrote the post in full as follows: “Axios just released a story that ‘Trump’ offered Sanctions Relief and Frozen Funds to Iran. This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING! Axios’ story, like most others, is a HOAX, used only for purposes of satisfying their Trump Derangement Syndrome. They should withdraw this fake story, IMMEDIATELY! President DONALD J. TRUMP.” The former president has repeatedly denied offering concessions to Tehran, such as when he addressed his Iran pressure campaign and Tehran’s offensive posture.