Iran's military sources on Sunday denied U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Tehran had asked Washington to call off its strikes, calling his remarks "a new lie," Iran's Mehr news agency reported.
The military sources also described Trump's words on Truth Social as a desperate attempt to pressure Gulf states, saying that Iran's armed forces remain at the highest level of readiness and are fully prepared.
The military sources said that "if confrontation becomes inevitable, the battlefield will decide," adding that "everyone will then understand who holds the power and who will have the final say."
Earlier, Trump said he had agreed to hold off fresh attacks against Iran.
"We have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to," he wrote on Truth Social.
Trump also warned that his decision was "subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL."
Iran denies asking US to pause strikes, calls Trump's words a lie
Iran denies asking US to pause strikes, calls Trump's words a lie
Fueled by expanded visa waiver policies and improved visitor services, Shanghai's inbound tourism is surging this summer.
Beyond shopping, growing numbers of international visitors are embracing the "China Chic" trend, exploring revitalized historic landmarks and time-honored brands to experience the city's rich cultural heritage and modern evolution.
Along Nanjing Road, the century-old eyewear brand Wu Liangcai Optical has partnered with the Shanghai Museum’s summer exhibition, Ancient Civilizations of the Americas.
Its nearly 1,000-square-meter flagship store has been transformed into a vibrant cultural destination, blending retail with art to attract overseas visitors.
"So I think the idea is very nice, like to put the whole kind of traditional Maya into merchandise, it's very interesting. And I think the design is very nice as well. I think it's the first time I ever taste corn ice cream, and it's very nice, delicate, not too sweet, very good. See the culture, the food, the people, I think that's the most interesting thing. So, I think I would expect in China, in a city like Shanghai to see all the cultures, to see all the things," said James, a visitor from Britain.
Nearby, a historic building on the Bund is hosting an immersive Song Dynasty (960-1279) exhibition, combining classical paintings, life-sized sets, and dynamic light installations to offer international visitors a deeper appreciation of China's cultural heritage.
"The most I like was the Sun Wukong, because it's one of the most famous in the international places. Yeah, I really like how the Chinese they can put all the products, they can make art with the culture, and then they can spread in the world. Also, the foreigners they can enjoy about the books, the stories about China, and I really like it so much," said Torres, a Chilean visitor.
These innovative cultural attractions are encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore the city more extensively.
In the first half of 2026, Shanghai received over 5 million inbound overnight visitors, marking a 31 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
Fresh cultural experiences boost Shanghai's inbound tourism
