President Donald Trump denied that the U.S. agreed to pay Iran $300 million [1] as part of a bilateral peace agreement.
The denial complicates diplomatic efforts to stabilize relations between Washington and Tehran, as conflicting reports emerge regarding the existence of a formal deal.
Trump used his Truth Social account on Monday, May 12, 2026, to address the claims. He said there is no payment of $300 million [1] to Iran and characterized the reports as a fake news campaign. The president further said the Iranian proposal was "basura," which translates to trash [1].
The statement follows a period of intense speculation regarding a possible rapprochement. Some reports suggested a peace agreement had been reached, with mentions of the Iranian soccer team traveling to the U.S. However, Trump's social media post directly contradicts those assertions, labeling the financial terms as nonexistent.
International observers have noted the resulting instability. While some outlets reported that Iran announced retaliatory attacks on U.S. targets following a strike, other reports indicate that Iranian officials have remained silent since Trump's denial [2]. This silence has left the current status of diplomatic negotiations uncertain.
The discrepancy in reporting highlights the volatile nature of the current administration's approach to the Islamic Republic. While the White House has previously signaled a desire for a deal, the categorical rejection of the $300 million [1] figure suggests a breakdown in the perceived terms of any potential agreement.
Reuters said that hopes for peace are fading following the rejection of the proposal [1]. The administration has not provided further details on whether other terms of a deal remain on the table or if all negotiations have ceased.
“"No hay ningún pago de 300 millones a Irán; es una campaña de noticias falsas."”
The contradiction between the President's denial and reports of a peace deal suggests a significant gap between diplomatic signaling and official policy. By publicly labeling the financial terms as 'fake news,' the U.S. administration is likely attempting to avoid the political fallout of a cash-for-peace perception, while simultaneously placing the burden of the failed negotiation on the Iranian proposal.
