On Tuesday, Iran denied any involvement in the negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, following claims from US President Donald Trump that Tehran had given “orders” to the Palestinian group Hamas.
During a visit to Scotland on Monday, Trump addressed reporters, stating that the Iranians had “interjected themselves in this last negotiation” between Israel and Hamas, which concluded last week without a significant breakthrough.
Trump expressed concerns regarding the involvement in the negotiation process, suggesting that signals and orders were communicated to Hamas, which he deemed unfavourable. He did not provide further details.
Iran, a staunch ally and supporter of Hamas, has characterised Trump’s comments as “absolutely baseless.”
Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesman for the foreign ministry, characterised the assertion as “a form of projection and evasion of responsibility and accountability” attributed to the US president.
Baqaei stated that Hamas negotiators “do not need the intervention of third parties,” asserting that the group “recognises and pursues the interests of the oppressed people of Gaza in the most appropriate manner.”
Earlier this month, indirect negotiations took place in Doha, facilitated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. However, these discussions did not result in a truce agreement.
Israel and Hamas have levelled accusations against one another, claiming that neither side is willing to make the necessary compromises to bring an end to the ongoing conflict that has persisted for nearly 22 months.
In a surprising turn of events last month, Israel initiated an offensive against its long-standing adversary, Iran. The operation focused on critical nuclear and military installations, but it also resulted in strikes on residential neighbourhoods.
The United States made a brief foray into the conflict by targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting a retaliatory response from Tehran through missile and drone strikes.
On Monday, Trump remarked that following the conclusion of the 12-day conflict with Israel, Iran has been emitting “very bad signals,” though he did not elaborate on the specifics of these signals.
The statement likely alluded to the stalled nuclear negotiations with Washington, a process disrupted by ongoing conflicts, or to Iran’s backing of militant factions in the region, which are perceived as a threat by the United States and its allies.
Baqaei called on the United States to cease its supply of lethal weapons to what he referred to as the occupying regime, specifically pointing to its ally Israel. He demanded that the US compel Israel to halt the genocide and permit humanitarian aid to flow into the Gaza Strip.
