Iran has rejected President Donald Trump’s claim that direct negotiations with Washington are restarting, insisting its discussions are only with Oman as efforts continue to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has denied that it is holding direct negotiations with the United States after President Donald Trump said fresh talks aimed at ending the months-long conflict would begin on Monday.
Instead, Tehran said it is negotiating with Oman to reach what it described as “an understanding” on a temporary arrangement to secure commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route that has been repeatedly disrupted since fighting escalated earlier this year.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed suggestions of direct US-Iran talks, saying there were no plans for negotiations with Washington.
Trump had earlier told reporters aboard Air Force One that negotiations with Iran would begin “tomorrow afternoon” after he decided to cancel what he described as “massive” US military strikes.
“We’re talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon,” Trump said. “We’re ready to go anytime we want… I’m not looking to kill people.”
The US president also claimed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with leaders from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, urged him to delay the planned military action because they believed a deal was within reach.
“There’s a deal on Hormuz, and there will be a deal on the nuclear,” Trump said.
Iran, however, strongly rejected that account. The semi-official Mehr news agency described Trump’s claim that Tehran requested a pause in military action as “nothing but a new lie.”
SEE ALSO: Trump Says Fresh US-Iran Talks Will Begin Monday After Calling Off Planned Strikes
The uncertainty briefly eased concerns in global energy markets. Brent crude fell 4.5% to $83.98 per barrel, while US crude dropped 4.6% after Trump’s announcement, as traders hoped shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could soon resume.
Trade intelligence company Kpler reported that vessel traffic through the strategic waterway has already slowed significantly, with just 51 crossings recorded between 30 July and 2 August, compared with 71 during the previous four-day period.
Around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making any disruption there a major concern for global energy supplies. Despite Trump’s optimism, Iran’s latest comments suggest significant differences remain over how any agreement would be reached.
