First Thing: Trump describes ‘productive’ talks with Iran but Tehran denies contact

Iran has dismissed the US president’s claim of talks, saying there had been none since Washington began bombing the country. Plus, how sleeping 11 minutes more can cut your risk of heart attack Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here Donald Trump said there had been talks between the US and Iran over the past day in which the two sides had “major points of agreement” – but Tehran denied the claim, saying there had been no talks since the US began bombing Iran 24 days ago. Trump had vowed on Saturday to destroy Iran’s power stations and energy infrastructure within 48 hours unless Tehran reopened the strait of Hormuz, while Iran threatened to retaliate against infrastructure across the Middle East. But the US president pivoted on Monday – saying he had extended his deadline by five days – just hours before US markets were to open for what looked certain to be another punishing round of trading. Soon after the Trump pivot, Israel’s military on Monday said it had launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran. But the Israel Defense Forces told the Guardian that energy infrastructure would be spared, suggesting Israel may follow Washington in its pause on