Iran has denied that it is engaged in negotiations with the United States, contradicting President Donald Trump’s announcement that fresh talks aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries would begin on Monday.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran was not holding talks with Washington. He clarified that Iran’s current discussions were with Oman and focused on securing maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump had told reporters aboard Air Force One that negotiations with Iran would resume Monday afternoon, covering the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme. He also said he had postponed further military strikes to allow diplomacy to continue.
The conflict, which began on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, has entered its sixth month. Despite several diplomatic efforts, fighting has continued with only brief periods of calm.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a major point of contention. Iran has imposed restrictions on shipping through the strategic waterway, insisting on controlling access and charging transit fees conditions rejected by the United States.
Baqaei said Iran and Oman were close to reaching an understanding on a mutually acceptable shipping route that would protect the interests and security of both countries. However, he stressed that such an agreement would not amount to a full reopening of the strait.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker off the coast of Oman heard an explosion nearby on Sunday. The vessel and its crew were reported safe.
Trump also claimed Iran, along with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, had urged him to refrain from launching further attacks. Iranian state media rejected the claim, insisting Tehran had made no such request.
Iranian lawmaker Hassan Ghashghavi said mediators were working to revive a memorandum of understanding reached between the US and Iran in June, which included provisions relating to the Strait of Hormuz and was intended to pave the way for broader peace negotiations.
