‘Fake Story’: Trump Slams Report He Offered Iran Sanctions Relief, Release Of Frozen Funds

Last Updated:September 29, 2026, 03:52 IST

Trump also called the Axios report a “HOAX” and demanded that the news organisation withdraw the “fake story” immediately.

US President Donald Trump makes an announcement on steel in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AFP photo)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday denied an Axios report that he was willing to offer Iran sanctions relief and release frozen Iranian funds in return for concrete steps on its nuclear programme.

“Axios just released a story that ‘Trump’ offered Sanctions Relief and Frozen Funds to Iran. This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Trump also called the Axios report a “HOAX” and demanded that the news organisation withdraw the “fake story” immediately.

“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!” he wrote.

The denial came as the US and Iran remained divided over efforts to end their ongoing conflict, with mediators working to bring the two sides back to negotiations.

What Axios Reported?

Axios reported, citing US officials, that Trump was willing to provide Iran with sanctions relief and release frozen funds in exchange for concrete Iranian steps on its nuclear programme.

According to the report, the US message was being conveyed as Qatari and Pakistani mediators sought to broker an agreement between Washington and Tehran.

The report said the two sides remained far apart on key issues. Iran wanted talks to focus on the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade, while the Trump administration was demanding commitments on Iran’s nuclear programme.

A US official cited in the report described the indirect discussions as “positive and constructive”, but said gaps remained over the timing of commitments and which side would act first.

Nuclear Issue At Heart Of Talks

The US official said there would be no agreement unless the nuclear issue was addressed, according to the report.

Trump’s latest denial comes after he rejected Iran’s recent proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart negotiations. He has also said he expects talks with Iran to resume.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran is waiting for mediators to convey Washington’s position before deciding its next steps.

The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the wider conflict, with Iran seeking an end to the US naval blockade and sanctions as part of its conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.

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Did Trump offer Iran sanctions relief and frozen funds?

US President Donald Trump strongly denied an Axios report claiming he offered Iran sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds in exchange for nuclear steps, calling the report a hoax and demanding an immediate retraction.

What core issue did Axios report was central to the indirect US-Iran discussions?

According to Axios, the indirect discussions focused heavily on Iran’s nuclear programme as a core requirement, alongside separate demands from Tehran regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade.

What has Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said about the ongoing talks?

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran is currently waiting for mediators to convey Washington’s official position before deciding on its next steps in the negotiations.

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