Iran said on Tuesday it had not interfered in negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza, after US President Donald Trump claimed Tehran had issued “orders” to Hamas, AFP reports.

Trump, speaking to reporters on Monday during a visit to Scotland, said the Iranians had “interjected themselves in this last negotiation” between Israel and Hamas, which ended last week with no breakthrough.

“I think they got involved in this negotiation, telling Hamas, giving Hamas signals and orders and that’s not good,” Trump said without elaborating.

Iran, a close ally and backer of Hamas, dismissed Trump’s remarks as “absolutely baseless”.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called the claim “a form of projection and evasion of responsibility and accountability” on the US president’s part.

According to Baqaei, Hamas negotiators “do not need the intervention of third parties” as the group “recognises and pursues the interests of the oppressed people of Gaza in the most appropriate manner”.