Iran denies seeking talks with US, tells Trump to find 'better ways out'

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran's National Security Commission spokesman Ebrahim Haghighi said on X that Tehran is not seeking to resume talks with the United States, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Iran has requested a new meeting. The spokesman urged Trump to "look for better ways out of the impasse" and noted that repeated statements have failed to deliver even short-lived relief in oil markets. Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday, during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, that Iran had asked for a new meeting but that Washington had no interest in talks until Tehran was "concretely ready." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei said at a Monday press briefing that indirect diplomatic channels with Washington remained open despite U.S. military strikes on Iranian territory. Iran's Health Ministry said the strikes have killed 53 people and wounded 592.