Trump Calls Iran Deal Talks Tehran’s Last Chance
The Trump Iran deal push entered a critical phase after the US president claimed negotiations were underway and called them Tehran’s last chance. Iran denied direct US talks, saying discussions with Oman concerned only the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the diplomatic process unclear.
Trump Says Iran Talks Are Underway
US President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that negotiations with Iran were taking place “right now” and warned that Tehran was facing its final opportunity to reach an agreement before further military escalation.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the discussions were taking place at Iran’s request and had the support of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. He did not identify the negotiators, disclose the location of the talks or explain whether Gulf governments were acting as intermediaries.
Trump said the outcome could become clear within a day and suggested the process would move quickly. His comments followed his decision to postpone another planned attack on Iran after regional leaders urged Washington to allow diplomacy more time.
Hormuz Talks Form Phase One
Trump described a two-stage negotiating plan. The first phase would require Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz fully, while the second would focus on ending Iran’s nuclear capacity.
The president said he expected the strategic shipping route to reopen as early as the following day. The strait remains central to the dispute because it carries a major share of global energy shipments and continued disruption could raise oil prices, insurance costs and shipping risks.
Trump has previously said the United States would delay fresh attacks if Iran agreed to reopen the waterway and address Washington’s concerns about its nuclear programme. However, earlier agreements have collapsed after the two sides offered conflicting interpretations of Iran’s authority over the strait.
Tehran Denies Direct US Talks
Iran publicly rejected Trump’s account. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said no negotiations with the United States were underway and no meetings were planned.
Baghaei said Iran’s only active discussions involved Oman and concerned a temporary maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has insisted that those talks do not amount to direct negotiations with Washington and cannot resolve the wider conflict while US military pressure continues.
The disagreement leaves open the possibility that messages are passing through Gulf intermediaries without direct US-Iran meetings. It also means Trump’s claim that formal negotiations are underway has not been independently confirmed.
Gulf States Support De-Escalation
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Oman have increased diplomatic activity as they try to prevent further attacks and protect regional shipping and energy infrastructure.
Trump confirmed that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who encouraged him to pursue an agreement instead of launching another large strike. Qatar has also maintained contact with Washington and Tehran, while Oman continues its separate negotiations over navigation arrangements.
The Gulf governments share an interest in preventing a wider war, although their preferred strategies and relationships with Iran differ. Their involvement may create a channel for indirect diplomacy even while Tehran denies holding formal talks with the United States.
Trump Issues Final Warning
Trump said he wanted to give Iran every remaining opportunity before carrying out plans he described as extremely severe. He also repeated that Iran would not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
His language combined negotiation with direct military pressure, making it difficult to determine whether Washington expects a diplomatic compromise or is preparing the public for renewed attacks.
The immediate test will be whether the Strait of Hormuz reopens and whether Iran confirms any broader agreement. Until both governments publicly acknowledge the same terms, claims of an imminent deal should be treated cautiously.
