<p class="wp-block-paragraph">President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday, criticizing an Axios article that claimed he offered sanctions relief and access to frozen funds to Iran in exchange for concessions regarding its nuclear program.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump stated, "Axios just released a story that 'Trump' offered Sanctions Relief and Frozen Funds to Iran. This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING! Axios’ story, like most others, is a HOAX, used only for purposes of satisfying their Trump Derangement Syndrome." </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He called for the outlet to "IMMEDIATELY" retract the story.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Axios article suggested that Trump was willing to ease economic pressures on Iran in exchange for concessions related to its nuclear development. This report emerged amid ongoing discussions about peace-making efforts between the U.S. and Iran, particularly following Trump's rejection of an Iranian ceasefire proposal over the weekend.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump confirmed that he found the Iranian peace proposal unacceptable, stating, "We’re winning tremendously. We have total control of the Hormuz Strait. Massive amounts of oil are coming out of the Hormuz Strait. Last night, we had 29 ships come out. They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal too, but I’m not — that deal would not be acceptable." </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran's proposed peace deal involved a suspension of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports in exchange for Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming discussions on its nuclear program.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi commented on Trump's rejection of their peace proposal, stating that it is "up to President Trump to choose" between diplomacy and continued conflict. He added, "We are fully prepared for the war to be resumed. We stand firm in the face of any new aggression, even if it comes to a doomsday war." </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump's remarks on Axios's reporting coincide with his ongoing tensions with the media, following a recent ban on Politico, MS Now, and CNN from the White House. He announced this ban via Truth Social.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">After U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly temporarily ruled against Trump's media ban last Thursday, the White House allowed the previously banned media outlets back on the premises. Coverage of Trump resumed on Friday after a brief hiatus in solidarity with the banned outlets.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Washington Examiner reached out to Axios for comment.</p>