New York, Aug 4: US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it is facing a “last chance” to reach an understanding with Washington, while simultaneously claiming that discussions are underway to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz as early as Tuesday. Tehran, however, has firmly denied that any negotiations with the United States are currently taking place, leaving the future of the crucial maritime route uncertain. Speaking at the White House Oval Office on Monday, Trump said Washington and Tehran were discussing the reopening of the Strait, which is a critical passage for global energy supplies.
He suggested that developments could come rapidly, saying the situation would move “one way or the other” within a short period. “We're talking about the Strait, the opening of the Strait, having it open, literally by tomorrow,” Trump said, while adding that he wanted to give Iran “every last chance” before taking more drastic military action. Iran, however, offered a sharply different account of the situation. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said in Tehran that there were currently no negotiations between Iran and the United States. “We are not holding any negotiations with the United States at present,” Baqaei said at a news briefing.
He added that, apart from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was away on a pilgrimage to Iraq, the country's negotiating team remained in Iran. Baqaei's remarks directly contradicted Trump's assertion that Washington and Tehran were engaged in discussions. Trump subsequently criticised Iran's leadership on social media, accusing it of being “unbelievably duplicitous”.
He claimed that Iranian officials had sought a meeting with the United States but were publicly denying that discussions were taking place. Despite denying direct talks with Washington, Baqaei confirmed that Tehran was consulting Oman over the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media outlet Tasnim described the discussions as being aimed at establishing a temporary arrangement to ensure maritime safety in the strategic waterway.
Baqaei stressed that no other country was participating in the Muscat-Tehran consultations. The Strait of Hormuz has become a major flashpoint amid the escalating confrontation between Iran, the United States and Israel. The waterway is one of the world's most important energy corridors, with a substantial share of global oil and gas shipments passing through it.
Trump said he had postponed a major bombing campaign against Iran after receiving calls from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other countries urging restraint. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly spoke with Trump and stressed the importance of dialogue, reducing tensions and pursuing a truce that could create space for diplomatic solutions. Trump said Iran had been alarmed by leaks concerning the planned military operation, which he described as potentially one of the most severe bombing campaigns since World War II.
He said Washington wanted to discuss the Strait and find a way to restore maritime traffic. The current crisis follows an earlier understanding over the Strait. According to the account, Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 concerning reopening the waterway.
That arrangement subsequently collapsed after Iran attacked ships in the Strait and the United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. The situation has also been shaped by Israel's military actions against Iran and Washington's involvement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had initiated the February 28 bombing campaign against Iran with US support, met Trump in Washington last week.
Following the meeting, preparations for another possible military operation reportedly intensified. However, Gulf countries and other neighbouring states have strong reasons to prevent further escalation. Any major conflict involving Iran could expose them to retaliatory attacks and further disrupt regional energy supplies and shipping.
The confrontation has already spilled beyond the Strait of Hormuz. An Iranian attack on a US base in Jordan reportedly killed three US Army personnel last month, including one of Indian origin. Iran also targeted locations in Bahrain and Kuwait during the renewed confrontation.
Meanwhile, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, another strategically important maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, has also emerged as a concern. Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen reportedly attacked Saudi oil installations, raising fresh concerns over shipping and energy security. With Washington claiming that discussions are underway and Tehran denying direct negotiations, uncertainty continues to surround the Strait of Hormuz.
The coming days could determine whether diplomatic efforts produce a temporary maritime arrangement or whether tensions once again escalate into a wider military confrontation. (The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
