Iran Sees ‘Progress’ in Talks with US — ‘War Propaganda Is Artificial’

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated on X that a framework for negotiations with the United States is gradually taking shape. In a Persian-language post following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Larijani wrote: ‘Contrary to artificially created media war propaganda, the formation of a structure for negotiations is progressing.’ Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Iran seeks a nuclear deal and issued an unspecified ultimatum. On Truth Social, Trump shared a video captioned ‘BREAKING NOW — Tehran: IRGC is in panic,’ referencing recent explosions in Iran—including one caused by natural gas that killed a four-member family. While Trump publicly alternates between threats of military action and calls for renewed talks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the U.S., Israel, and European nations of exploiting Iran’s severe economic crisis to fuel social unrest and undermine national cohesion. Protests beginning in late December—sparked by soaring inflation and living costs—ended after two weeks of violent suppression. According to human rights group HRANA, at least 6,563 people were killed, mostly protesters, along with 214 security forces personnel.