TEHRAN, Iran – Iran has denied that it is engaged in any ongoing or scheduled negotiations with the United States, contradicting U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that he had called off a planned large-scale military strike to allow diplomacy a chance.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said there are no talks taking place with Washington and no meetings have been arranged between the two countries. He added that Tehran’s current diplomatic engagement is limited to discussions with Oman regarding the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
Trump had earlier said he decided against launching a “massive attack” on Iran after Gulf leaders urged the United States to give diplomacy another opportunity. He also claimed that new negotiations between Washington and Tehran were expected to begin as part of efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
Tehran, however, firmly rejected those claims, insisting that no such agreement or planned talks exist. Iranian officials also said all key government officials who could participate in negotiations remain in the country, except Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is on a religious pilgrimage.
According to international reports, appeals from Gulf allies, particularly Saudi Arabia, played a significant role in Trump’s decision to postpone additional military action. Regional leaders have expressed concern that further escalation could destabilize the Middle East, threaten energy infrastructure, and disrupt global oil markets.
Iran also emphasized that its discussions with Oman are focused solely on the Strait of Hormuz and should not be interpreted as direct negotiations with the United States.
Meanwhile, international media have noted a recurring pattern in Trump’s statements regarding Iran. In recent months, he has repeatedly announced pauses or cancellations of planned military operations, often citing diplomatic efforts. However, military actions and heightened tensions have continued despite those announcements, contributing to uncertainty across the region and in global energy markets.
Following Trump’s latest remarks that he had delayed new strikes, global oil prices eased temporarily as investors anticipated a possible diplomatic breakthrough. Analysts, however, cautioned that the absence of confirmed direct talks between Washington and Tehran, combined with continued tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, means the risk of further confrontation in the region remains high.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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