Iranian sources push back at Trump claim Tehran sought retreat from fight

By ToI Staff and AP 2 August 2026, 8:31 am

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A statue of Palestinians stands with Iranian flag as a banner shows newly elected Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, center, alongside the late leaders Ismail Haniyeh, right, and Yahya Sinwar, with writing in Hebrew reads: 'From Sinwar’s generation, the new leader on the ground,' and in Arabic: 'Khalil al-Hayya, the occupiers’ nightmare” at Palestine Square in downtown Tehran, Iran, August 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iranian military officials quoted in the country’s heavily state-controlled media push back on the claim from US President Donald Trump that Tehran asked for planned attacks to be called off as a deal to end the war comes together.

The unnamed sources call the claim a “lie” and accuse Trump of attempting to extort and pressure Gulf leaders.

Iran’s forces are at the highest level of readiness, the sources say, warning that should fighting take place, it will be “decisive” and show who holds the real power, presumably referring to themselves.

Trump said late Saturday night that he was ordering American forces to hold off on new strikes against Iran, claiming Mideast allies had reached the parameters of a deal to end the five-month old war.

The emerging deal “would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” Trump wrote in a social media post.

The post came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump by phone Saturday and raised concerns about the US potentially escalating the conflict with Iran, according to a person familiar with the leaders’ discussion.