WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said talks with Iran would resume on Monday, signaling a renewed diplomatic effort after he said he had held off on planned military action, while Tehran said no direct negotiations with Washington are currently taking place.
Speaking on Sunday, Trump said negotiations would begin on Monday but did not provide details on the venue, participants or a timetable for reaching an agreement. He also said he was not setting a deadline for a deal.
Iran, however, disputed the characterization of the diplomatic contacts. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday there were no current talks with the United States, adding that discussions under way with Oman were focused on establishing temporary safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz rather than broader negotiations with Washington.
Trump's announcement followed his decision to pause planned military strikes, saying diplomacy should be given an opportunity amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear program and the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway has been at the center of the regional crisis, affecting global energy markets.
Iran has continued to deny seeking nuclear weapons and has maintained that any broader resolution depends on an end to what it describes as U.S. aggression. Officials have also said talks with Oman alone would not be sufficient to resolve the wider crisis.
The differing public statements underscored uncertainty over the status and scope of any U.S.-Iran engagement. No joint announcement confirming the start of direct negotiations had been issued by either government at the time of publication, and the situation remained fluid.
