Iran has flatly denied that negotiators plan to meet with their US counterparts on Monday, in the latest blow to Donald Trump’s hopes of an imminent end to the war, reports BritPanorama.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Tehran is not currently holding any talks with Washington, indicating that discussions are taking place with Oman to secure a temporary safe route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Baghaei remarked that reaching an agreement with Oman does not suffice to reopen the strait, emphasizing that the situation remains unchanged while U.S. “aggression” continues.
This statement followed President Trump’s announcement on Saturday, indicating that talks would resume today after he called off a major attack to provide an opportunity for diplomacy.
Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had requested time to reach a deal for the “Immediate, Complete and Total” reopening of the strait and a resolution to Iran’s nuclear threat, but insisted that Tehran must “rapidly make a DEAL.”
The apparent de-escalation in tensions followed days of reciprocal threats of new attacks, with incidents spreading across the Gulf to the Red Sea and even affecting a Mediterranean facility in Egypt.
Despite the encouraged environment, Iran’s official position remains firm against negotiating with the U.S. The spokesperson clearly stated there would be no reception of a delegation from the U.S. or sending an Iranian team in the immediate future.
Meanwhile, Trump, as he returned to Washington from New Jersey, expressed optimism about Monday’s negotiations but failed to provide details about their logistics or expected participants. Oil prices reacted to the uncertainty, dropping more than 4% in early trading.
Discussions regarding the Strait of Hormuz continue to be contentious, with Washington asserting that an agreement reached in June necessitates Iran’s reopening of the waterway. Iran contends that the text preserves its authority over shipping traffic, potentially granting it greater leverage post-conflict — a scenario that would be seen as a setback for the Trump administration.
As the situation develops, the focus remains on the diplomatic avenues available, with both sides seemingly trapped in a cycle of escalating threats and failed negotiations.
