Trump denies willingness to give Iran sanctions relief in exchange for nuke concessions
US President Donald Trump on Monday denied a report that he is prepared to offer Iran sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds in exchange for nuclear concessions by the Islamic Republic. The revelation was published in English by the Axios news site and in Hebrew by Israel’s Channel 12 news, but Trump subsequently insisted on Truth Social that it was “untrue.” “I offered them NOTHING!” he wrote. The Axios story reported that Trump “is willing to give Iran sanctions relief and release Iranian frozen funds in return for concrete Iranian steps regarding the nuclear program.” It quoted unnamed US officials. The 80-year-old Republican called the story “a HOAX” and said the news site should withdraw it. Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories Newsletter email address Get it By signing up, you agree to the terms The reaction came as US and Iranian officials spoke separately with Qatari mediators on Monday as part of a renewed effort to end seven months of war. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi walks from the podium after speaking to the media during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, September 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) Any further talks are expected to focus on an amended version of a seven-day proposal that Iran presented last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who remained in New York after attending the General Assembly, said Iran expected to receive the US response to its latest ceasefire proposals and its conditions for restoring passage of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, according to state news agency IRNA. Advertisement “If the Americans claim they are seeking an agreement or a peaceful solution, we have presented that solution,” Araghchi said. US officials separately spoke with mediators on Monday, US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House, without giving further details. Iran’s seven-day plan envisages an end to all hostilities in Iran and Lebanon — where Israel has created a buffer zone to operate against Hezbollah — the unfreezing of billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian assets, an end to sanctions on Iranian oil and the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports. Iran would then allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for oil tankers, and the two sides would also resume talks on Iran’s nuclear program and Trump’s wish to seize or eliminate its highly enriched uranium. Commercial vessels lie anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, September 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) Trump said on Saturday he had rejected Iran’s proposal, saying Iran wanted a swift agreement because of the crippling economic pressure it is under. However, he also told Axios on Sunday that he expected US negotiators to engage in further talks this week. Araghchi said on Sunday that mediators had not formally conveyed a US rejection, and that Iran was awaiting Washington’s definitive position before deciding its next steps. Advertisement “Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on these conditions being met,” he said on Sunday, adding that only a negotiated solution could resolve the impasse. The strategic Strait of Hormuz lies at the heart of the conflict. The narrow waterway normally carries a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied gas. The route has been effectively blockaded by Tehran since the war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Prices for gas and other products in the US have risen dramatically since the war began, as Trump faces dwindling popularity in national polls and his party worries about losing their majority in Congress in the midterm elections come November. Help us report truthfully on social media As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos. This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world. If you believe in the importance of factual social media journalism , please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to sustain responsible multimedia reporting. — Gabriella Jacobs, multimedia journalist Support our work Support our work Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this You're a dedicated reader We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month. That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world. So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE , as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members. Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel Join Our Community Join Our Community Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this Most Popular 1 Terrorist from abduction of Noa Argamani, Avinatan Or on Oct. 7 killed in strike – IDF 2 Irish soccer team refuses handshakes, bows heads during Israeli anthem; wins the match 3-0 3 Op-ed Netanyahu’s narrative of ignorance on October 7 is rapidly unraveling 4 ToI at sea Israel’s newest, largest submarine arrives, deepening Navy’s stealth capabilities 5 Israel revokes credentials of Dutch diplomats to Ramallah as Holland said to check El Al passengers for settlement goods 6 Netanyahu flew to UAE to ask MBZ to deny giving him pre-Oct. 7 warning of Hamas attack – sources 7 Analysis NAZA’s claims about IDF conduct in Gaza are grave. So are the film’s journalistic flaws 8 Egypt warned Netanyahu of attack days before Oct. 7, after two previous warnings — report read more: Israel & the Region Iran United States Donald Trump Strait of Hormuz 2026 US-Israel war with Iran Axios Wall Street Journal Mojtaba Khamenei Jared Kushner Steve Witkoff If you’d like to comment, join The Times of Israel Community. JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY Already a member? Log in here close popup Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community Sign in or Register Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles Email address * Please use the following structure: example@domain.com Continue Or Continue with By joining you agree to the terms and conditions Send me The Times of Israel Daily Edition back close popup Register to continue Email address * Change REGISTER Or Continue with back close popup Log in to continue Email address * Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.. Continue back close popup Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community Sign in or Register You are currently registered. Please join The Times of Israel Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits Only ToI Community members can comment below articles Email address * Password * Incorrect password. Please try again or choose an option below. Forgot your password? / Send me a login link Continue Sign in without joining Or Continue with close popup Check your email We sent an email to you at . It has a link that will sign you in. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. back close popup Join The Times of Israel Community Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits. Email address * Please use the following structure: example@domain.com JOIN NOW! close popup Thank you! Now check your email You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.