President Donald Trump fired off a furious Truth Social post Monday evening denying a report that he offered Iran financial relief as part of negotiations to end the war.
Despite calls from inside his own party to end the war as soon as possible, Trump rejected an Iran-pitched deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. And during his United Nations General Assembly speech last week, he openly contemplated whether or not to “annihilate” Iran.
On Monday, after railing against what he called “FAKE NEWS” from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico — and even imposing an unprecedented press ban that has since been temporarily halted — Trump set his sights on Axios.
The president’s post read in full:
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 story he’s referring to is a Monday one from the outlet’s Barak Ravid, who 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.
One official told Ravid that the talks have been “positive and constructive” and that Iran “has indicated they are flexible on the nuclear issues,” while still stressing that no deal will be possible “unless the nuclear issues are addressed.”
“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,” that official added.
As Axios noted, Qatari mediators met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York on Monday and are expected to meet with Trump administration officials later Monday or Tuesday.
The post Trump Slams ‘HOAX’ Axios Report That He Offered Financial Relief to Iran in Deal Talks: ‘I Offered Them NOTHING!’ first appeared on Mediaite.