Trump denies offering Iran sanctions relief as Qatar pushes for talks

US President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered sanctions relief to Iran in exchange for concessions from Tehran on its nuclear program, according to CNBC.

The denial comes amid heightened tension surrounding US-Iran relations, with speculation continuing over the state of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Reports had suggested that the Trump administration considered easing sanctions on Iran as part of a broader effort to secure commitments from Iranian officials to scale back the country's nuclear activities, though Trump rejected characterizations that such an offer had been made.

Separately, Qatar has been pushing for renewed peace talks, positioning itself as a mediator in the broader tensions involving Iran, a role the Gulf state has played in past rounds of regional diplomacy.

The report references the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments that has repeatedly become a flashpoint amid tensions between Iran and Western countries, underscoring the stakes involved in any diplomatic breakdown or escalation.

Sanctions on Iran, imposed over its nuclear program and other issues, have remained a central point of leverage in negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with both sides periodically signaling openness to talks while publicly maintaining hardline positions.

Trump's denial suggests the administration is seeking to avoid the appearance of offering concessions to Iran without corresponding guarantees on its nuclear activities, a stance consistent with the administration's broader approach to using sanctions as leverage in negotiations. No details were provided on the current status of any direct or indirect talks between the US and Iran, or on what role Qatar's mediation efforts might ultimately play.