Iran denies Trump's claim of ongoing talks, US naval blockade to continue until 'total surrender'

Conflicting signals on negotiations

On the evening of 2 August, speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump said an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz was close and that nuclear negotiations with Iran would begin the following afternoon. By the morning of 3 August, Iran's foreign ministry issued a blunt denial: "At the moment, no negotiations are underway with the United States." Hours later, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that talks were "happening right now" at Tehran's request, describing it as "the last chance for Iran to sign a good deal." He added that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and others had urged him to give diplomacy one final opportunity. By late afternoon, Tehran repeated its rejection, stating it was in contact solely with Oman to establish a temporary safe route for vessels through the strategic waterway.

Trump's ultimatum and the naval blockade

After Iran's second denial, Trump posted on Truth Social, calling the Iranian leadership "incredibly hypocritical" and warning that the US naval blockade would not end without an agreement or Iran's "total surrender."

The Iranian leadership is incredibly hypocritical! They ask for a meeting, some would say they beg, talks begin, with others already scheduled for the near future, and yet they openly and proudly declare they are not discussing anything, claiming to deal only with Oman.

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil transits, has been a central element of the six-month conflict. Trump later declared, "I will not allow Iran to impose tolls on anyone. We have total control." He also said he wanted to give Iran "every possible last chance before decapitation," a remark that captured the administration's maximalist stance.

Iran's Oman channel and regional warning

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei clarified that Iran is "conducting talks with Oman only on the management of the Strait of Hormuz" and that the two countries are "seriously pursuing negotiations to ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait."

Currently we are conducting talks with Oman only on the management of the Strait of Hormuz. The two countries are seriously pursuing negotiations to ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait.

He stressed the discussions are confined to the waterway and do not address broader US-Iran issues. Baghaei also warned that "the United States' war against Iran is a war against the entire region" and that regional countries "bear some responsibility for the current situation," a pointed reference to Saudi Arabia's call for an end to the conflict. He added that "the power of deterrence of Iran has stopped the enemy."

Gulf pressure and oil market reaction

According to US media reports, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman played a key role in persuading Trump to suspend planned heavy strikes over the weekend and give negotiations another chance. Gulf states have grown increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as an erratic US strategy, oscillating between military escalation and diplomatic overtures. They fear a prolonged conflict could draw retaliatory Iranian strikes against their territories and energy infrastructure. Oil prices briefly fell below $80 per barrel following Trump's initial optimistic remarks, but the subsequent denial and renewed threats injected fresh volatility into markets.

What comes next

With Washington and Tehran publicly contradicting each other, the prospects for a near-term diplomatic breakthrough appear slim. Trump has framed the blockade as an indefinite pressure tool, while Iran insists any negotiation must be mediated through Oman and limited to navigational safety. The standoff leaves the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of a volatile impasse, with no direct US-Iran talks on the horizon.