Amid Iranian denials of direct talks, Donald Trump said that negotiations with Tehran are currently taking place with the support of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, describing it as the last opportunity to reach an agreement. According to the US President, efforts are focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran continues to negotiate with Oman regarding a shipping route.

Published on: 04/08/2026 - 05:25 Last updated: 04/08/2026 - 15:47

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US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that negotiations with Iran are currently taking place, despite Tehran's denial, describing the talks as a "last chance" for Iranian officials to reach an agreement.

Trump told reporters at the White House, “The talks are now underway, and this is a last opportunity for them to sign a good document,” adding that they began at the request of Tehran and with the support of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

He explained that the talks focus in particular on the possibility of reopening the Strait of Hormuz “as of Tuesday,” after months of tension over shipping traffic in the sea lane vital to global energy supplies.

Iran denies direct negotiations with the United States

But the Iranian Foreign Ministry denied any direct negotiations with the United States. Its spokesman, Ismail Baghaei, said during his weekly press conference: “We are not currently conducting negotiations with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure a passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The denial came hours after Trump announced that negotiations would resume on Monday. The US President responded on his Truth Social platform, accusing the Iranian leaders of sending contradictory messages, stressing that they requested a meeting and began talks before publicly denying this.

Trump also said that the Strait of Hormuz is "under the complete control" of the US Navy, adding that the blockade imposed on Iranian ports will continue until an agreement is reached or "full surrender."

On Saturday, Trump announced the suspension of massive strikes that were planned against Iran, in response to requests from Tehran and Gulf countries, with the aim of paving the way for diplomatic efforts. He stipulated that an agreement be reached quickly, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending what he described as the Iranian nuclear threat.

The Strait of Hormuz is at the heart of tension between Washington and Tehran

The Strait has become one of the most prominent points of disagreement between Washington and Tehran since the outbreak of war with a US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28. Hostilities resumed between the United States and Iran in July, after a truce and memorandum of understanding that paved the way for a permanent agreement.

Iran imposes restrictions on the movement of ships in the strait, requiring them to cross in coordination with it via a route along its northern coast. It has also announced its intention to impose fees on ships wishing to use it. The United States and Gulf countries reject these measures, affirming their adherence to freedom of navigation.

Baghaei said on Sunday that Iran and Oman are working to reach a maritime path “acceptable to both parties” that takes into account their sovereign rights and security interests, instead of the proposed northern and southern paths.

Read also: Iran announces the imminent agreement with Oman on a new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices decline with talk of diplomatic progress

Talk about the possibility of achieving diplomatic progress led to a decline in oil prices on Monday, as Brent crude for September delivery fell by 4.8% to $83.7 a barrel at 18:25 GMT.

In the same context, American media reported that Washington was considering launching intensive attacks on Iranian energy facilities.

CBS News said that the United States and Israel planned to target oil refineries and power plants in the first joint attack in two months.

Calls to "give priority to dialogue" and reduce escalation

Since the beginning of the war, Trump has repeatedly threatened to severely bomb Iran or target its civilian infrastructure, before backing down.

Trump is trying to find a way out of the war, and has stipulated that a quick agreement be reached with Tehran, especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz, in order to suspend strikes on the Islamic Republic.

Although the war began with a joint American-Israeli attack, the Hebrew state has not attacked Iran since Tehran and Washington reached a ceasefire in April and signed a memorandum of understanding in June. It also did not strike even after the United States and the Islamic Republic resumed hostilities.

Trump announced that the decision to suspend any attack came at the request of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran itself.

The Saudi News Agency (SPA) reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to "predominant the language of dialogue" to reduce the escalation in the region.

The war expanded recently with the opening of a new front in the Red Sea, where the Yemeni Houthis, supported by Tehran, announced the imposition of a naval blockade on Saudi ports, and subsequently claimed responsibility for attacks on oil tankers and oil installations in the Kingdom.

France 24/AFP

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