Several Iranian state media outlets are reporting false information that Donald Trump imposed outlandish preconditions for talks with Tehran, in what analysts call a coordinated campaign to justify Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's rejection of talks with the US.
Iranian news site Khabar Fori cited a report it falsely attributed to The Wall Street Journal on Monday saying one of President Trump’s conditions for negotiating with Iran was the "transfer of three Iranian islands to the United Arab Emirates."
The control of the islands is a deeply felt issue for many Iranians across the political spectrum.
Hours later, other Iranian media outlets reported that the American newspaper had not published any such report.
At the same time, an article in Arman-e Melli newspaper and Nameh News listed seven alleged conditions, including "US oversight of all of Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities."
The report also said that, according to these conditions, all American and European prisoners "must be released unconditionally," and that Iran must "dismantle or place under full US supervision" all space technology and satellite research centers.
None of the alleged conditions appear in President Trump's official executive order on Iran, or in his public remarks on potential negotiations.
According to Iran International's in-house analysts, the disinformation campaign—emerging amid sharply rising prices and an unprecedented decline in the national currency rial—appears designed to shape public opinion, justify the Supreme Leader’s decision and mitigate public resentment toward him.
Trump ramps up pressure, Khamenei rejects talks
On February 5, Trump signed a presidential directive to resume his "maximum pressure" policy against the Islamic Republic, with the aim of preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, countering its malign influence in the region by reducing its oil exports to zero.
Khamenei expressed opposition to negotiating with the US, saying such talks "have no impact on solving the country’s problems".
"Negotiating would not be wise, intelligent or honorable," added Khamenei, who is the ultimate decision-makers on all matters of state.
A day later, Trump expressed hope about reaching a deal with the Islamic Republic, saying that such a deal would forestall an Israeli attack on Iran.
Khamenei's categorical rejection of negotiations drew skepticism from some pro-government social media users and a few officials within the Islamic Republic.
Telegram channel Seda-ye Hashemi, which is said to be affiliated with associates of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, published an editorial titled "Foreign Policy or Historical Stubbornness?", criticizing Khamenei’s reference to past nuclear negotiations.
"National interests should be defined based on realities, not historical and political prejudices," the author of the editorial wrote.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, however, addressed the matter, saying, "My expectation and demand from the president is that he and his colleagues in the government implement the Supreme Leader’s directive."
Tehran aligns with Supreme Leader on US talks
On Monday, during state-led celebrations marking the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, several officials commented on Trump’s threats and the issue of negotiations.
In a speech, President Masoud Pezeshkian said, "Trump says, ‘Let’s negotiate,’ but signs every possible conspiracy against Iran and then claims he is ready for talks." Earlier, Pezeshkian said, "Our enemies think that if they besiege us, we will die of hunger," aligning with Khamenei’s stance against negotiations.
The country’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, also referred to "America’s betrayal in the JCPOA," saying, "We do not trust negotiations and will never negotiate under pressure and coercion." A similar narrative came from Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, who said, "We will not negotiate under conditions of threats and sanctions."
On the other hand, Mahmoud Vaezi, former chief of staff to President Hassan Rouhani and deputy head of the Moderation and Development Party, suggested that Khamenei’s remarks do not rule out negotiations entirely but are specifically directed at the current circumstances under Trump.
Mostafa Pourmohammadi, secretary-general of the Combatant Clergy Association, echoed this view, saying that based on Khamenei’s position, negotiations should take place "at the right time, from a position of power and dignity."
Trump's remarks on Iran further inflamed currency and gold markets, driving dramatic price surges amid an already strained economy. In response, some officials stressed the need to "clarify" the Supreme Leader’s stance against negotiations with the US.
Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, head of the Coalition Council of Revolutionary Forces, said, "The Supreme Leader provides reasoning for his position, and those who support negotiations with Trump should also present their arguments." He acknowledged the "negative reactions of some on social media" to Khamenei’s remarks, attributing them to economic hardships and the pressure on vulnerable groups, but insisted that negotiations would not resolve these problems.
Despite some of Tehran's efforts to justify Khamenei’s decision and spread disinformation about Trump’s alleged preconditions for talks, many among the wider public continue to blame the Supreme Leader and state officials for Iran’s economic and social crises.
On the eve of the 46th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, citizens in various Iranian cities chanted slogans against the Islamic Republic, including "Death to the Dictator" and "Death to Khamenei."
