TEHRAN: Iran’s leadership on Thursday dismissed repeated claims of an “imminent” breakthrough in U.S.–Iran negotiations, directly responding to a series of reports by Axios that have fueled volatility in global oil markets.
In a pointed social media post, Iran’s speaker of parliament MB Ghalibaf mocked the coverage, noting that Axios has reported an imminent deal five times in the past 19 days — all without materializing.
Operation Trust Me Bro failed. Now back to routine with Operation Fauxios.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) May 6, 2026
Interestinglhy, it has been noted that there have been reports of No deal for five times, with same reporter quoting same sources.
The timing of the latest Axios dispatch coincided with heavy trading activity as market data show $920 million worth of oil shorts were placed just 70 minutes before the report was published. Traders reaped an estimated $125 million as crude prices fell sharply on the news, only to surge back once Iran publicly denied the existence of any agreement.
Analysts believe the episode highlights the sensitivity of energy markets to geopolitical signals and the potential for information — accurate or otherwise — to trigger rapid swings. Analysts say the repeated cycle of “deal imminent” headlines followed by denials has eroded confidence and left investors wary of politically driven market maneuvers.
Indirect U.S.–Iran contacts remain ongoing through Pakistani and Omani mediation, but Tehran’s public rebuke suggests no immediate resolution is at hand. For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint where diplomacy, intelligence leaks, and trading strategies intersect — with billions of dollars riding on every headline.
