Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran directly contacted him in an effort to halt ongoing American airstrikes.
In a statement issued early Thursday, the IRGC’s public relations office dismissed the assertion as false, describing it as “a cover to escape war.” The statement came after Trump reportedly told a Fox News correspondent that Iranian officials had reached out to him and requested an end to the bombing campaign, adding that military operations would “stop shortly.”
Iranian media outlets also challenged the US president’s remarks. Citing security sources, several local news agencies denied that any direct communication had taken place between Tehran and Washington. Tasnim News Agency described Trump’s comments as an “absolute lie” and warned that Iran would deliver a “crushing response” to what it called the latest act of US military aggression.
The dispute unfolded as fresh explosions were reported across parts of southern Iran early Thursday. According to local reports, blasts were heard in Hormozgan province, including the counties of Sirik and Qeshm, while air defense systems were activated on Qeshm Island.
The US military later confirmed launching a new round of operations against targets in Iran. The latest strikes followed attacks carried out two days earlier in the same region. Iranian authorities said those operations damaged multiple sites, including two civilian water reservoirs in the coastal province.
Amid the escalating tensions, the IRGC Navy issued a warning to vessels operating near strategic waterways in the region. The force stated that any ship approaching sensitive maritime routes under threatening circumstances would face a decisive response.
The latest exchange of accusations and military action highlights the growing strain between Tehran and Washington, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation in an already volatile region.