Trump and Iran clash over talks: US demands 'agreement or total capitulation', Tehran denies negotiations
President Trump says talks with Iran are underway and the Strait of Hormuz could reopen as early as Tuesday, but Tehran denies any negotiations with Washington, insisting it is only discussing maritime passage with Oman.
Trump's ultimatum
President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran faces a "last chance" to sign a deal with the United States, with the first phase being the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which he predicted could happen as early as Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the talks were moving quickly and that the second phase would be denuclearization, though he acknowledged that process "will take some time." He also said he is not under time pressure because he is not running for reelection.
This is the last chance for the Iranians to sign a good document.
Iran's denial and Oman talks
Hours earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei flatly denied any negotiations with Washington. He said Iran is in talks solely with Oman to establish a temporary maritime corridor through the strait, a circular route using Iranian territorial waters for inbound ships and Omani waters for outbound vessels. Baghaei added that all Iranian negotiators are currently in the country except Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is on a pilgrimage.
We are not negotiating with the United States at this time. We are negotiating with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz blockade
Trump insisted the US Navy completely controls the strait and maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. He said nothing passes to Iran without US permission and nothing will pass without an agreement or total capitulation. He described the blockade as a "Steel Wall of the United States."
Nothing passes to Iran unless we want it to, and nothing will pass unless there is an Agreement, or a Total Capitulation.
Diplomatic maneuvering
The exchange followed a weekend in which Trump threatened a massive attack, then called it off after what he said were requests from Iran and regional allies. He spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who urged dialogue. CBS News reported that the planned strikes could have targeted oil refineries and power plants, with US and Israeli involvement, which would have been a first in two months. Trump later posted on Truth Social calling the Iranian leadership "incredibly duplicitous" for publicly denying talks while privately seeking them.
- Trump threatens massive attack on Iran, then cancels it, citing progress in talks.
- Trump announces talks will begin Monday afternoon, says 'broad outlines' agreed.
- Trump speaks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who urges dialogue.
- Iranian spokesman Esmail Baghaei denies any negotiations with the US, says talks are only with Oman.
- Trump calls Iranian leadership 'incredibly duplicitous' on Truth Social, demands agreement or total capitulation.
- Trump says Strait of Hormuz could reopen Tuesday, calls it 'last chance' for Iran.
What comes next
The conflict, now in its fifth month, has seen repeated cycles of threats and de-escalation. Trump's latest ultimatum leaves little room for compromise, while Iran's public denial of talks complicates any diplomatic track. The immediate test is whether the Strait of Hormuz reopens on Tuesday as Trump predicted, and whether the two sides can move beyond the current standoff.
