Conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran have raised new uncertainties about the status of negotiations intended to end the five-month conflict between the United States and Iran. Meanwhile, a reported attack on a commercial ship near the Strait of Hormuz highlights ongoing threats to global energy routes.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump asserted that discussions with Iran were currently in progress, describing them as Tehran’s “final opportunity” to secure a favorable agreement. Speaking during an Oval Office event, Trump said the talks were happening at the request of Iran, as well as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. He emphasized that this was the “last chance” for Iran to sign a beneficial document.
These remarks followed Trump’s recent announcement that he had called off what he termed “massive attacks” on Iran to allow space for diplomacy, continuing a pattern in which military threats are followed by renewed overtures for talks.
However, Iran rejected these claims, firmly stating that no negotiations with the United States are taking place. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei declared there were no scheduled meetings or plans to host foreign delegations or send negotiators abroad in the near future. He noted that all Iranian negotiators remain in the country except for Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is currently in Iraq for Arbaeen. Baghaei added that the only ongoing diplomatic engagement involves talks with Oman concerning issues related to the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, maritime security concerns escalated after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a cargo vessel near Oman’s coast had broadcast a message claiming it was struck by an unidentified projectile close to the strategic waterway. This incident occurred amid continued disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains at a reduced pace.
Data from shipping analytics firm Kpler indicated that only six vessels, including three oil tankers and three bulk carriers, passed through the strait on Monday, down from seven the previous day.
In a significant development, hopes for a de-escalation in US-Iran tensions helped push oil prices lower and major stock indexes higher on Monday. Brent crude futures dropped about 7% to around $83.77 per barrel, while the Dow closed at a record high. Asian stocks and oil prices both edged upward on Tuesday.
Gulf officials and analysts suggest Iran is betting it can outlast Washington by leveraging the Middle East’s trade routes, shipping lanes, and energy infrastructure as pressure points to gradually increase the cost of confrontation. Tehran hopes this strategy will persuade the US and its allies that managing the crisis is more expensive than accommodating Iran’s demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Michael Knights of the Washington Institute commented that Iran’s significant advantage lies in its ability to disrupt regional states and the global economy.
Later on Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social, calling Iran’s leadership “unbelievably duplicitous,” stating they had requested a meeting and that further talks were planned for the “immediate future.” He also reiterated his claim that the US Navy maintains total control over the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a “United States Wall of Steel” through which nothing passes without US approval, unless a deal or total surrender is reached.
This sequence of events fits a recurring pattern since Trump launched “Operation Epic Fury” alongside Israel over five months ago. The president has repeatedly threatened military action but then cited diplomatic efforts as reasons to hold back. Iran, however, has consistently rejected negotiations with Washington since the collapse in early July of a memorandum of understanding signed the previous month aimed at ending the conflict.
Trump’s initial objectives—dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, limiting its capacity to attack regional rivals, and fostering conditions for regime change—have yet to be met. US actions have been met by escalating Iranian responses targeting US forces, Gulf Arab allies, and shipping, with each cycle ending in a US de-escalation.
The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz remains central. Washington insists the June memorandum required Iran to open the strategic waterway, while Tehran maintains the agreement explicitly preserved its authority over shipping traffic.
