The United States and Iran gave sharply conflicting accounts of renewed diplomacy on Monday and Tuesday, after President Donald Trump said talks had resumed and described them as Tehran's last chance to reach an agreement. Iran's Foreign Ministry said no negotiations with Washington were taking place, maintaining that its contacts were only with Oman and concerned safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The dispute followed Trump's decision to hold off on a threatened wave of new strikes. He said requests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates influenced that decision and argued that Iranian officials had sought a meeting. Iranian spokesperson Esmail Baghaei rejected that account, while confirming discussions with Oman, a frequent intermediary between Washington and Tehran.
Associated Press reporting said the five-month conflict has repeatedly alternated between military threats and last-minute diplomatic pauses. The latest confrontation began after Trump warned on Friday that the United States could strike Iran harder, before saying over the weekend that signs of progress justified more time for diplomacy. Reuters reported in late July that a June framework envisioned talks by the end of August on major disputes including Iran's nuclear program.
The political stakes extend beyond the negotiating room. AP-NORC polling published last week found about two-thirds of American adults believed the war had not been worthwhile, including most Democrats and independents and about 37 percent of Republicans. Trump has denied that November's midterm elections are shaping his approach, but Republican Senator John Kennedy warned that further escalation could lift energy prices and inflation.
The disagreement unfolded as the Strait of Hormuz remained dangerous. A cargo ship reported being hit by an unknown projectile early Tuesday about 37 kilometers northeast of Al Khasab, Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. The vessel sustained damage, maritime security firm Ambrey said, while no further identifying or casualty information was immediately provided.
The strait carried roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas before the war, according to AP, making safe passage central to both diplomacy and the world economy. Whether indirect Omani contacts develop into acknowledged U.S.–Iran negotiations remains uncertain. The immediate tests will be whether shipping access improves, whether both governments confirm a negotiating format and whether Washington continues to pause wider strikes.
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