Iran Denies US Negotiations as Trump Claims Talks Are Underway to End Conflict
Iran has announced it is negotiating with Oman to establish "an understanding" regarding a temporary route through the Strait of Hormuz to restore commercial shipping. The statement directly contradicts assertions by US President Donald Trump, who stated that new negotiations to end the war in Iran would commence on Monday and that he had halted planned military strikes for this reason.
While President Trump did not specify the participants of the proposed talks, Iran explicitly stated it was not negotiating with the United States and had no intentions to do so. The denial from Tehran drew a sharp response from the US president, who wrote on his Truth Social platform that Iran's leadership was "unbelievably duplicitous."
Contradictory Claims on Negotiations
Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump insisted that discussions were actively occurring. "They're going on right now... this is the last chance for them to sign a good document," he said. Over the weekend, Trump asserted that the "perimeters" of a deal had been established, which would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage closed by Iran amid ongoing conflict.
Tehran has repeatedly blocked the strait since US and Israeli military actions against the country commenced in February. Speaking on Air Force One on Sunday, Trump claimed Iran was aware of the scale of the planned US strikes "because they saw it forming." He declined to set a specific deadline for an agreement, stating, "We'll just see how it is. We're ready to go anytime we want... I'm not looking to kill people."
According to Trump, regional allies including Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar had urged him to call off the weekend strikes. "We were all set to go," Trump said, adding, "The reason they asked is [that] they think there's a deal. There's a deal on Hormuz, and there will be a deal on the nuclear."
Impact on Global Oil Markets
Following Trump's announcement, global oil prices experienced a decline during Monday morning trading in Asia. Brent Crude fell by 4.5% to $83.98 (£62.26), while US-traded oil dropped 4.6% to $80.74 (£59.85). Energy prices have fluctuated since the conflict began on February 28, driven by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) typically flows.
Vessel-tracking data from trade intelligence firm Kpler indicates a slowdown in commercial shipping through the strait. Only 51 vessel crossings were recorded between July 30 and August 2, representing a 28% decline compared to the 71 crossings observed during the preceding four days.
Previous efforts to resolve the conflict through mediated talks collapsed last month, ending a ceasefire that had been agreed upon in April. Although Trump has repeatedly declared that a negotiated settlement is near, tit-for-tat military strikes have consistently resumed.
Diplomatic History and Domestic Pressures
The White House has frequently accused Iranian officials of maintaining conflicting public and private stances. In April, Trump warned of severe consequences if Iran refused to negotiate, which led to face-to-face talks in Pakistan led by Vice-President JD Vance, though no agreement was reached. In May, Trump similarly claimed he paused military operations due to "serious negotiations" before promising to strike Iran "very hard" if talks failed.
US officials have suggested that Iran's public denials of US talks are directed at its domestic audience, including hardline government and military members opposed to making concessions. Meanwhile, the conflict presents political challenges for President Trump's Republican allies ahead of the November midterm elections.
Polls indicate the war and its economic consequences are broadly unpopular with the American public, including many Republicans. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that only a third of Americans support the conflict—the lowest level since it began—with many respondents citing unclear or shifting objectives.
