Iran's Foreign Ministry rejected US President Donald Trump's claim that negotiations were set to begin, stating no talks or meetings with Washington are planned or underway.
Iran has publicly denied assertions by US President Donald Trump that diplomatic talks with the United States are scheduled to commence, creating a significant point of disagreement between the two nations. Trump announced on Sunday that he was calling off planned military operations, citing negotiations he said would begin the following afternoon. However, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei contradicted these claims, asserting that no negotiations with the United States are taking place and no meetings have been scheduled for the coming days.
Baghaei indicated that all Iranian negotiators remain within the country, with the exception of Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is currently on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq and will be unavailable until at least the end of the week. According to a senior Iranian source who spoke to Reuters, no talks are planned. The Iranian official stated that the only discussions under way involve Oman regarding management of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically critical waterway at the centre of ongoing US-Iran tensions.
The dispute reflects a recurring pattern over the past five months, with Trump repeatedly announcing major military operations before reversing course, often citing diplomatic efforts as justification. Iran has publicly rejected negotiations with Washington since a June memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict collapsed in early July. Key disagreements persist regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with the United States claiming Iran agreed to open the waterway under the June accord, while Tehran maintains the agreement explicitly preserved its authority over shipping traffic.
Oil prices declined following Trump's decision to hold back military action, with Brent crude futures falling more than 4% to around $84 per barrel on Monday. Meanwhile, a British maritime security body reported an explosion near a vessel in the strait overnight, though no injuries were sustained.
