Trump says US-Iran talks are underway 'right now'; Tehran denies any negotiation and says it is dealing only with Oman

Trump's claims at the White House

Donald Trump asserted on Monday 3 August that negotiations with Iran were underway, describing them as taking place 'at the request' of Tehran and with the 'support' of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Speaking to journalists at the White House, he framed the talks as a final opportunity.

It's the last chance the Iranians have to sign a good document.

Trump said the discussions focused in particular on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which he suggested could happen 'as early as tomorrow.' Earlier on Monday, he had posted on Truth Social denouncing the 'incredible duplicity' of Iranian leaders, writing that they request a meeting, talks begin, and then they publicly deny any discussions are taking place.

The president's remarks followed a weekend of reversals. He had threatened a major new attack on Iran before announcing on Saturday evening that he was suspending plans for massive bombardments. On Sunday, aboard Air Force One, he said talks would begin Monday afternoon without providing further details.

What we're doing now is talking with them in the form of a negotiation.

Iran's flat denial

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaïl Baghaï delivered a direct rebuttal during his weekly press conference on Monday morning. He stated that no negotiations with the United States were taking place and that Iran's diplomatic engagement was confined to Oman.

We are not negotiating with the United States at the moment. We are negotiating with Oman to secure a passage in the Strait of Hormuz.

Baghaï added that all Iranian negotiators were in Iran and that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was departing that day on a pilgrimage. The previous evening, Baghaï had told state television that Iran and Oman were close to an agreement on a shipping route acceptable to both sides.

We are on the verge of reaching an agreement on a route acceptable to both parties — neither the northern route nor the southern route — respecting the sovereign rights of each country and guaranteeing our national interests and security.

The Strait of Hormuz bottleneck

The Strait of Hormuz, jointly managed by Iran and Oman, has been locked down again since the US-Iranian memorandum of understanding collapsed in early July. Iran currently permits only a single route along its coastline and refuses a return to the pre-war situation. In June, Oman triggered Tehran's anger by opening an alternative route through the strait. Muscat has not yet commented on the latest Iranian statements.

Two main disagreements persist between Iran and Oman: the shipping routes themselves and transit fees. Tehran wants control over all maritime traffic in the strait and rejects a route passing solely through Omani waters. On fees, Iran seeks to tax navigation while Oman proposes a voluntary contribution. Even if a bilateral deal is reached, Iran has warned that navigation will not resume without a halt to hostilities and the lifting of international sanctions.

A five-month pattern of escalation and reversal

The conflict began on 28 February with a bombing campaign by the United States and Israel against Iran. A ceasefire in place since April collapsed in early July when US strikes resumed and Iran retaliated against US allies across the Gulf and Jordan. The war has since expanded to the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a blockade of Saudi ports.

Trump has alternated repeatedly between threats and talk of negotiations. In July he raised the possibility of targeting Iran's energy infrastructure. Over the weekend he claimed to have been ready to launch 'the largest military attack since the Second World War' before backing down under allied pressure. The mid-June protocol signed with Iran quickly fell apart, with each side accusing the other of violating its terms.

Oil markets reacted to the apparent diplomatic progress on Monday morning, with Brent crude prices falling at the market open.