A fresh diplomatic drama has erupted between Iran and the United States after President Donald Trump announced that new negotiations to end the war would begin Monday, only for Tehran to flatly deny that it is negotiating with Washington.
Trump said Sunday that the US had held off on launching further strikes against Iran to create room for diplomacy, declaring that talks would begin “tomorrow afternoon.”
But Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, dismissed the claim.
“We are not currently negotiating with the United States.”
According to Baqaei, Tehran’s discussions are instead focused on Oman, particularly on securing a mutually acceptable arrangement for shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway has become a major flashpoint in the conflict, with Iran restricting commercial shipping and Washington demanding unrestricted passage.
Trump said the proposed US-Iran talks would address Hormuz and the denuclearisation of Iran, while claiming that Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar had urged him to delay further military action.
Iranian media has disputed Trump’s claim that Tehran asked him not to strike.
The latest development comes after months of military confrontation, failed diplomatic efforts and repeated warnings from Trump of potentially devastating strikes against Iran.
Meanwhile, a tanker off Oman reportedly heard an explosion nearby on Sunday, although the vessel and crew were said to be safe, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre.
Iranian lawmakers say mediators are also working to revive a memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran in June, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a central issue.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a post on X, said Tehran must ensure its adversaries honour agreements already signed.
🔴 The big question now: Are secret US-Iran negotiations actually underway, or is Washington moving ahead with a diplomatic initiative Tehran has yet to formally accept?
Follow REF MEDIA for breaking updates as the situation unfolds.
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