U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that Iran’s president had requested a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a statement promptly refuted by Tehran. Taking to Truth Social, Trump referred to Masoud Pezeshkian as “Iran’s New Regime President,” although Pezeshkian has held the position since 2024, and there has been no change in regime in Iran. Trump described the Iranian president as more intelligent than his predecessors and mentioned that Iran had sought a ceasefire with the United States, linking it to the opening of the Hormuz Strait. He warned that until the strait was freely accessible, Iran would face severe consequences.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson dismissed Trump’s assertion as untrue and groundless. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had recently indicated Iran’s readiness to continue the conflict. Trump, who was scheduled to speak to the American public from the White House at 9 p.m. ET, did not provide further details.
In a televised interview with Al Jazeera aired the previous night, Araghchi emphasized that Iran would not succumb to threats or deadlines, asserting the nation’s right to self-defense without setting any specific time limit. Trump had previously expressed optimism about negotiations with Iran, suggesting that Iran was eager for a deal, a claim denied by Tehran, which stated that direct talks were not taking place.
Last week, Trump announced a temporary halt to strikes on Iran’s energy facilities, setting a deadline of April 6 for the reopening of the blocked Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy trade. The conflict has already resulted in the deaths of at least 13 American soldiers, while an estimated 3,500 people have been killed in Iran, with approximately 180,000 Iranian families displaced, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The IOM’s director general, Amy Pope, warned of the escalating humanitarian crisis, anticipating a rise in casualties as civilian infrastructure is increasingly impacted by the conflict. Pope highlighted concerns for migrant workers in Iran, underscoring the potential lack of support and safety for this vulnerable population in the midst of the ongoing turmoil.