'They should've taken the deal': Trump denies seeking peace talks with Iran, calls reports 'fake news'

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday denied claims that he had initiated or sought peace talks with Iran amid the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Israel, calling the reports “highly fabricated” and “fake news.”

"I have not reached out to Iran for “Peace Talks” in any way, shape, or form. This is just more HIGHLY FABRICATED, FAKE NEWS! If they want to talk, they know how to reach me. They should have taken the deal that was on the table - Would have saved a lot of lives!!!" his Truth Social post read.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters shortly after arriving back in the United States from a G7 summit in Canada, Trump said he was aiming for a "real end" to the conflict between Israel and Iran, and not just a ceasefire.

"I'm not looking for a ceasefire, we're looking at better than a ceasefire," he said.

The president said he was looking for "an end, a real end, not a ceasefire," adding that he wanted a "complete give-up" by Iran.

Trump’s remarks come amid widespread speculation in media and diplomatic circles that backchannel efforts might be underway to contain the spiraling hostilities in the Middle East.

On Monday, it was reported that Tehran had reached out to Trump to put pressure on Israel for a ceasefire. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Iran was signaling its desire to de-escalate tensions and return to the negotiating table over its nuclear program.

Earlier in the day, Trump said his early departure from the G7 summit in Canada on Monday had "nothing to do" with a possible ceasefire between Israel and Iran, adding that France's leader had been "wrong" to suggest otherwise.

Macron had suggested that the United States was ready to make a diplomatic overture to Iran.

Israel and Iran exchanged fire again Tuesday, a fifth day of strikes in their most intense confrontation in history, fuelling fears of a drawn-out conflict that could engulf the Middle East.

The adversaries have for years waged a shadow war through proxies and covert operations, with Israel fighting Iranian-backed groups such as Hamas since October 2023.