Iran’s National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani has firmly denied claims of renewed talks with the United States, calling President Donald Trump’s actions “delusional” and accusing him of turning his “America First” slogan into “Israel First.”
The statement comes amid escalating strikes across Iran, Lebanon, and the wider Middle East.
Speaking on X (formerly Twitter), Larijani rejected reports by the Wall Street Journal suggesting he had initiated negotiations with the US through intermediaries in Oman.
He said Trump’s military operations sacrificed American troops to further Israel’s ambitions, adding that the Iranian people are defending themselves.
“The armed forces of Iran did not initiate the aggression,” Larijani wrote, emphasizing Tehran’s stance against negotiating with Washington under current conditions.
Trump signals willingness to talk
Earlier, President Donald Trump indicated he was open to dialogue with Iran’s surviving leadership following the US-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump’s remarks came as the region witnessed a second day of intense bombings and Iranian missile counter-attacks, highlighting the growing volatility and its impact on global markets.
Escalation across the region
The conflict has rapidly spread beyond Iran:
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Lebanon: Israeli forces struck Beirut and southern towns after Hezbollah launched missiles toward northern Israel. Over 53 towns and villages received evacuation orders, displacing hundreds of thousands.
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Iran: Airstrikes targeted Tehran’s “heart,” causing large explosions.
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Bahrain: At least one person killed amid Iranian retaliatory attacks.
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Iraq: Explosions reported near a US base in Baghdad.
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Human toll in Iran: At least 201 killed and 747 injured in airstrikes since Saturday, including 153 children at a girls’ school near Minab.
Iran blamed the US and Israel for the attacks, while US Centcom said it is investigating reports, and Israel denied awareness of operations in the area.
Regional
Several Gulf nations—including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE—condemned Iranian attacks and reaffirmed their right to self-defense.
The escalating strikes have intensified fears of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, with potential global economic repercussions, including disruptions in oil supply and financial market instability.
