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Iranian media and official sources directly contradicted U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of "productive conversations" with Iran on Monday, saying there has been no direct or indirect contact with Trump.
The sources claimed his decision to postpone strikes on Iranian power plants came after Iran warned it would target all energy infrastructure across West Asia in retaliation.
"There is no direct or indirect contact with Trump. He retreated after hearing that our targets would be all power plants in West Asia," an Iranian source told semi-official Fars News Agency.
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Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying no dialogue is taking place between the two sides and characterizing Trump's announcement as part of efforts to lower energy prices and buy time for military planning.
"Trump's statements are within the framework of his efforts to reduce energy prices and gain time to implement his military plans," the ministry said.The ministry also said that regional countries have made initiatives to reduce tensions, adding: "Yes, there are initiatives from regional countries to reduce tensions, and our response to all of them is clear: We are not the party that started this war, and all these requests must be referred to Washington."
"After the Islamic Republic threatened that in the event of any American attack on Iran's energy infrastructure, the energy infrastructure of the entire region would be targeted, Trump backed down and said he had issued an order to postpone the attack," the Iranian Embassy in Kabul stated on X.
"Trump backed down from attacking critical infrastructure as Iran's military threats became credible," a senior security official told Iran's semi-official Tasnim.
"The pressure on financial markets and the threat of bonds within the U.S. and the West has increased, and this has been another important factor for this backsliding. From the beginning of the war until today, messages have been sent to Tehran from some mediators, the clear answer of which has been that we will continue to defend until we achieve the necessary deterrence," the same official quoted by Tasnim added.
"There have been no negotiations, and there are none, and with this kind of psychological warfare, neither the Strait of Hormuz will return to its pre-war conditions nor will there be peace in the energy markets," the official noted.
"Trump's 5-day ultimatum means the continuation of this regime's program for crimes against the people, and we will continue to respond and defend the country extensively," the official concluded.
He told CNBC’s Joe Kernen in a phone call shortly after the post that "we are very intent on making a deal with Iran."
Trump added that discussions with Iranian authorities had been very intense and that he remains hopeful something very substantive can be achieved.
The U.S. president also insisted on the same call that what is unfolding in Iran can be described as "regime change."
A Democratic senator claims Donald Trump is backing down on the threat because of financial markets.
Sen. Chris Murphy argued that Trump backing down on his threat to strike Iranian power plants was to calm the financial markets.
"Trump isn't announcing a pause on strikes," Murphy said in a post to X.
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A fatal shooting in Istanbul has developed into one of Türkiye’s most closely followed criminal investigations.
Authorities now examine allegations involving musicians, influencers, and individuals linked to business and public life.
The case centers on the killing of 21-year-old footballer Kubilay Kaan Kundakci, who was shot on March 19 in the Umraniye district.
What initially appeared to be a targeted attack has since expanded into a complex investigation with multiple suspects, conflicting statements, and claims of possible instigation.
Footballer Kubilay Kundakci was reportedly sitting in a parked car with friends when attackers arrived in two vehicles and opened fire.
He had traveled to Istanbul during a holiday break and became involved as a mediator between rapper Vahap Canbay and singer Aleyna Kalaycioglu, who had recently ended their relationship.
Canbay allegedly asked Kundakci to help arrange a meeting with Kalaycioglu. The group went to a studio where she was believed to be present and waited in a car.During that time, suspects arrived at the scene.
One of them, identified as Alaattin Kadayifcioglu, allegedly approached the vehicle, knocked on the window, and opened fire. Kundakci was critically injured and later died in the hospital.
Investigators later proposed that the intended target may have been rapper Vahap Canbay, not Kundakci. The footballer was reportedly struck by bullets fired toward the vehicle.
The case has drawn public attention due to the number of well-known figures named in the investigation.
Authorities have detained multiple suspects, including:
The alleged shooter, Alaattin Kadayifcioglu, is the son of the businessman taken into custody, as reported by Sabah.
Police recovered a weapon believed to have been used in the attack during a search in Istanbul. Forensic samples were also collected, and mobile phones belonging to suspects are under examination.
Officials say 10 people have been detained in total, with eight already referred to court after police procedures.
One of the central lines of investigation concerns allegations that the attack may have been planned or encouraged by others.
Authorities are examining claims that Kalaycioglu and her mother may have played a role in instigating the incident. These allegations remain under investigation and have not been confirmed by official judicial findings.
Statements given during the investigation present differing versions of events.
According to Anadolu Agency, Kalaycioglu told police she had gone to the location with Kadayifcioglu for an unrelated reason and claimed he acted on his own after seeing Canbay.
According to Gece Muhabiri Samet Aday, her mother reportedly received ₺1 million ($22.560) from the suspect. These claims have not been officially verified.
Late footballer Kubilay Kundakci’s family has raised concerns about how the attackers knew where to find the group.
His father questioned whether someone close to the situation may have provided that information.
Authorities are also examining reports that the suspect may have been preparing to flee abroad before being apprehended.
The presence of vehicles with flashing lights at the scene has further fueled public debate, raising questions about access, connections, and possible misuse of authority.
The investigation is ongoing, with police and prosecutors continuing to review evidence, statements, and digital records.
Officials have not yet issued a final statement on charges or responsibility, and the judicial process is expected to clarify the allegations in the coming days.
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