Trump confirms resumption of negotiations.. Iran denies

Washington – Agencies: US President Donald Trump announced yesterday that negotiations with Iran would resume, following the suspension of planned strikes on the Islamic Republic, which swiftly denied holding any talks with the United States, as the conflict entered its sixth month. Trump announced on Saturday that he was canceling broad strikes on Iran to pave the way for diplomacy, setting as a precondition the swift, immediate, and complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “It is clear they do not want to be attacked. They were aware of the scale of the attack because they saw the signs forming.” He added, “Right now, what we are doing is talking to them within the framework of negotiations,” stating that they would “begin (on) Monday afternoon” without providing further details.

Sources indicated that the United States and Iran would focus primarily on resuming navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports, according to the US Associated Press. The agency added that the negotiations would also cover a halt to all strikes in the region, including attacks carried out by Iran-aligned armed factions in Iraq, as well as the resumption of Iranian oil exports without obstacles. It noted that Middle Eastern countries playing a mediating role intend to intensify their communications with Washington and Tehran in the coming days, clarifying that at this stage, both sides could return to the fundamental principles of the memorandum of understanding signed between them on June 18.

Iran’s response came during the weekly press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated, “We are not currently negotiating with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz.” The Islamic Republic had announced on Sunday 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. Baghaei had previously said on Sunday, “We are in the process of reaching an understanding on a route acceptable to both parties—not the northern route, nor the southern one, but a route that respects the sovereign rights of both sides and safeguards our national interests and security.”

Pending a potential agreement, tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz. An explosion occurred near an oil tanker in the strait, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on the night of Sunday into Monday, confirming that no injuries were reported. Since the beginning of the conflict, Trump had repeatedly threatened to heavily bomb Iran or target its civilian infrastructure before backing down. US media reported that Washington was considering launching intensive attacks on Iran, specifically targeting energy infrastructure. CBS News reported that the United States and Israel were planning to target oil refineries and power generation stations in the first joint attack in two months.