Iran has rejected former US President Donald Trump’s statement that fresh negotiations on resolving the ongoing conflict would commence on Monday. Trump had announced on Air Force One that talks were set to begin the following afternoon after he called off planned "massive" strikes against Iran.
Trump claimed Iran was aware of the impending attack and that discussions were underway, also mentioning on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Iran and US Middle East allies requested a pause as the framework of a deal had been established. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry quickly denied these claims, confirming that no negotiations with the US were taking place or scheduled.
Diplomatic Channels and Regional Security
- Tehran stated it was engaging with Oman to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments.
- Previous US-Iran talks have been conducted via intermediaries without direct bilateral engagement.
- Trump did not specify the location or participants of the alleged upcoming talks.
Regional and Global Reactions
- Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with partners from the UAE and Qatar, reportedly urged Trump to postpone military action.
- Following Trump’s announcement, Brent Crude and US oil prices dropped significantly amid hopes for de-escalation.
Conflicting Statements and Military Posture
- Iran’s semi-official media dismissed Trump’s claims as fabrications, denying they requested a hold on US strikes.
- Trump described the aborted strikes as potentially the largest since World War II but emphasized a preference for diplomacy over conflict.
- Iran’s acting Defence Minister warned against underestimating threats and pledged readiness to respond.
Despite Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and prior threats to target Iranian infrastructure, which experts warn could breach international law, he has alternated between warnings and offers of negotiation. Previous attempts at dialogue, including talks in Pakistan, have yet to yield a resolution.
Public opinion in the US shows growing dissatisfaction with the conflict’s management, posing political challenges ahead of upcoming elections.
