Iran has denied claims that it is holding direct negotiations with the United States, contradicting President Donald Trump’s announcement that new talks were set to begin to end the six-month conflict.
Trump had told reporters aboard Air Force One that he was delaying planned military strikes to allow diplomacy a chance. He said discussions on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s denuclearization would soon begin.
The US president also claimed that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar urged Washington to suspend further military action to create room for negotiations.
However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed the claim during a weekly press briefing.
“We are not currently negotiating with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqaei said.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the main source of tension in the conflict. Iran is demanding control over shipping routes and the right to collect transit fees, conditions the United States has rejected.
Baqaei said Iran and Oman were close to reaching an agreement on a transit corridor but stressed that it would not mean the immediate reopening of the strategic waterway.
The conflicting statements highlight continued uncertainty in the region. A ceasefire and memorandum of understanding reached in June collapsed, while maritime security concerns remain after recent explosions near commercial vessels off the coast of Oman.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also urged the international community to pressure Washington to honour previous agreements, insisting that lasting peace depends on compliance with existing commitments.
