Iran Says Trump Is ‘Lying’ and ‘Desperate’ for a Ceasefire as Nuclear Talks Stagnate
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Conflict
Iran has launched a sharp verbal attack on US President Donald Trump, accusing him of being “desperate” for a ceasefire and of “lying” about the success of his “maximum pressure” campaign. The accusations, made by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, signal Tehran’s continued defiance even as a fragile two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan nears its expiration on April 22 .
“The claims of the American president about the success of the ‘maximum pressure’ campaign and the defeat of Iran are nothing but lies and illusions. The White House is in a state of desperation.” — Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman
‘Maximum Pressure’ Campaign Has Failed
Baghaei’s comments directly contradict President Trump’s repeated assertions that the US has “decimated” Iran’s military and that the Islamic Republic is “in very bad shape.” The spokesman argued that the US is the party feeling pressure, not Iran.
“We are not desperate. They are the ones who are desperate. They wanted a quick victory, and they failed. They wanted to force us to our knees, and they failed. Now they are begging for a deal, and we will not give them one on their terms.” — Esmaeil Baghaei
The accusation of desperation follows Trump’s statements that Iranians “desperately want to make a deal” and that the US will make Iran “economically thrive” if it agrees to forgo nuclear weapons .
Iran’s position has been consistent: any deal must include full sanctions relief, the release of frozen assets, and guarantees against future US withdrawal — a reference to the 2018 US exit from the JCPOA .
‘Lies’ About Iran’s Military Defeat
Baghaei specifically rejected Trump’s claims that Iran’s military has been destroyed.
“The Americans have not achieved any of their strategic goals. They have suffered major defeats on the battlefield and at the negotiating table. Their propaganda about destroying our military is a lie.” — Esmaeil Baghaei
While US and Israeli strikes have inflicted significant damage on Iran’s military infrastructure, independent assessments suggest Iran retains substantial capabilities, including thousands of ballistic missiles, operational proxy forces, and the ability to threaten the Strait of Hormuz .
Ceasefire Expiration Looms
The war of words comes as the two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan approaches its expiration. The truce, which took effect on April 7, was explicitly conditioned on Iran’s agreement to the “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING” of the Strait of Hormuz — a condition Iran has not met .
| Ceasefire Element | Status |
|---|---|
| Duration | Two weeks (announced April 7) |
| Time remaining | Less than 48 hours (expires April 22) |
| Direct US-Iran hostilities | Paused |
| Strait of Hormuz | Largely restricted; Iran maintains control |
| Diplomatic talks | First round ended without agreement; second round stalled |
The Seizure of the Touska
Tensions have been further inflamed by the recent US seizure of the Iranian cargo ship Touska, which was carrying chemicals from China used to manufacture ballistic missile fuel. Iran has denounced the operation as “armed piracy” and a violation of the ceasefire .
The Touska, owned by the sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), was intercepted by the USS Spruance in the Gulf of Oman after failing to comply with warnings over a six-hour period. The ship’s engine room was disabled by gunfire, and US Marines boarded and took control of the vessel .
The Nuclear Standoff
Beyond the immediate ceasefire, Iran and the US remain deadlocked over the nuclear issue. The US has demanded that Iran end uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, and surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium — conditions Iran has rejected .
Key Nuclear Sticking Points:
| Issue | US Position | Iranian Position |
|---|---|---|
| Enrichment suspension | 20 years | 5 years (offered) |
| Enriched uranium stockpile | Ship out of Iran | Keep, but dilute |
| Nuclear sites | Dismantle | Maintain for civilian use |
| Verification | Full IAEA access | Limited |
Iran has offered to pause enrichment for up to five years, but this falls far short of the US demand for a 20-year suspension and the removal of existing stockpiles .
What Comes Next
As the ceasefire clock ticks down, several scenarios are possible:
| Scenario | Likelihood | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Ceasefire extended without deal | Possible | Temporary pause continues |
| Second round of talks | Uncertain | Iran reviewing US proposal |
| Return to full-scale war | Elevated | Both sides preparing |
| Iran retaliates for Touska seizure | Possible | Could escalate tensions |
Baghaei’s harsh rhetoric suggests that Iran is not prepared to make the concessions the US is demanding. Whether the ceasefire is extended or collapses will likely depend on back-channel diplomacy over the coming hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did Iran accuse Trump of?
Iran accused Trump of “lying” about the success of his “maximum pressure” campaign and being “desperate” for a ceasefire.
2. Is the US desperate for a deal?
Trump has stated that Iranians “desperately want to make a deal,” while Iranian officials argue the opposite — that the US is the desperate party.
3. Has the ceasefire been extended?
Not yet. The two-week ceasefire is set to expire on April 22, 2026. No extension has been announced.
4. What happened with the Touska cargo ship?
The US Navy seized the Iranian-flagged Touska in the Gulf of Oman, alleging it was carrying chemicals from China used to manufacture ballistic missile fuel. Iran has denounced the seizure as “armed piracy.”
5. Will there be more negotiations?
Iran is reviewing a US proposal for a second round of talks but has not yet committed. The first round in Islamabad ended without agreement.
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