Trump: Iranian leadership is deceitful; they beg for a meeting, then declare they are not holding any discussions

A mood of anticipation prevailed regarding developments in the region following US President Donald Trump’s announcement yesterday of new negotiations with Iran. He indicated that there would be an agreement concerning the Strait of Hormuz and another regarding Iran’s nuclear program, alongside continued regional mediation efforts.

Trump added in press remarks: “We are talking with the Iranians about the format of the negotiations.” He continued: “We were ready to strike them, and the strikes would have continued; we were going to launch a massive attack. But Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran asked me to cancel the strike.” He noted that a massive attack on Iran, the largest since World War II, was supposed to take place.

Trump told reporters aboard the presidential plane: “It is obvious they do not want to be subjected to an attack. They were aware of the scale of the attack because they saw the signs forming.”

In a post on his platform, Truth Social, US President Donald Trump accused Iranian leadership of deception, following Tehran’s denial of holding negotiations with the United States. Trump wrote: “The Iranian leadership is incredibly deceptive! They ask for a meeting—some might even say they ‘beg’ for it—and once talks begin and other rounds are scheduled for the near future, they then announce—clearly and proudly—that they are not conducting any discussions and that there is nothing being discussed. Their engagement is limited only to ‘Oman.’ They then proceed to repeat their usual claims that they will forcefully close the Strait of Hormuz, while the strait is already under complete control by the US Navy and the ‘blockade’ we impose, or what some call the ‘American Steel Wall’! Nothing reaches Iran unless we want it to, and nothing will pass unless an agreement is reached or total surrender is achieved. Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are actually talking about solving a problem they have caused for decades. It is very simple: Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon.”

In response, Iran denied holding any talks with the United States but announced that it was close to reaching an agreement with the Sultanate of Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway for global energy supplies. Ismail Baghaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said: “We are not currently negotiating with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure a passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Baghaei had said the day before: “We are in the process of reaching an understanding on a route acceptable to both sides—not the northern route, nor the southern one, but a route that respects the sovereign rights of both parties and safeguards our national interests and security.”

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced in a statement that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held telephone talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The statement noted that the two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the deteriorating situation in occupied East Jerusalem. It revealed that the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had invited Minister Araghchi to visit Pakistan as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, a regional official involved in mediation between the United States and Iran told US CBS News that a proposal announced by Trump, following the cancellation of the attack on Iran, calls for Washington and Tehran to return to the negotiating table. The proposal called for a halt to attacks in the region, including attacks by Iran-backed militias on Gulf states and Jordan, and demanded the immediate and full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal also includes ending what Trump described as the “Iranian nuclear threat,” according to the text of the proposal. In return, the United States would end its naval blockade of Iran and allow Tehran to export oil. The official confirmed that the two sides have not yet reached an agreement, but mediation efforts are ongoing.

On the ground, Al Jazeera quoted a spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM) as saying, “We have helped more than a thousand ships cross the Strait of Hormuz,” adding that US forces “are vigilant and ready to carry out any missions assigned to them, and are prepared to support commercial vessels wishing to cross the strait.” These developments followed reports from US media that Washington was considering launching intensive attacks on Iran late last week, specifically targeting energy infrastructure.

CBS News reported that the United States and Israel were planning to target oil refineries and power generation plants in the first joint attack in two months.