U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran is participating in peace talks and suggested that Tehran's denial is explained by the fear of Iranian negotiators being killed, LETA reported, citing AFP.
"By the way, they are negotiating and really want to reach an agreement. However, they are afraid to say it because they understand that their own people will kill them," Trump said at a banquet for Republican congressmen.
"They are also afraid that we will kill them," Trump added.
Trump's statements came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran "does not intend to negotiate."
Trump reiterated his claim that Iran is "destroyed" in the armed conflict that has been ongoing for four weeks, although Iran is still effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
Criticizing his political opponents - the Democrats, Trump also stated that they are trying to "divert attention from all the huge successes we are achieving in this military operation."
"They don’t like the word 'war' because it requires Congressional approval, so I will use the words 'military operation,'" Trump added.
Earlier, Iranian state media reported, citing an unnamed official, that the Islamic Republic reacted "negatively" to the 15-point peace plan proposed by the U.S.
