Iran denies holding talks with US

Iran has dismissed reports of ongoing negotiations with the United States, saying there are currently no direct

Iran has dismissed reports of ongoing negotiations with the United States, saying there are currently no direct talks between the two countries, while confirming that discussions with Oman are focused solely on establishing a temporary maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the consultations with Oman are aimed at ensuring safe navigation in the strategic waterway and should not be interpreted as an agreement to fully reopen the strait. He maintained that the security situation in the region remains unchanged and insisted that any broader decision regarding the Strait of Hormuz would depend on regional developments.

Baghaei also said there are no plans for Iranian or American delegations to meet in the coming days, rejecting speculation that formal negotiations are currently underway.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump announced that Washington expected to begin talks with Iran and suggested that diplomatic efforts had prompted him to cancel a planned military operation. Trump said discussions involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran had encouraged the United States to pursue diplomacy instead of military action.

The US president said he preferred reaching a negotiated settlement but warned that military options remained available if diplomacy failed. He expressed hope that an agreement could eventually address both navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Meanwhile, regional tensions remain high despite renewed diplomatic efforts. Reports emerged that an explosion occurred near a commercial tanker off the coast of Oman. Maritime authorities said the vessel and its crew were safe, while an investigation into the incident is underway.

In another development, Iraq’s state oil marketing company reportedly offered significant discounts on Basrah crude exports to encourage buyers to lift cargoes from facilities inside the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting continuing uncertainty in regional energy markets.

Iran also announced the execution of two men convicted of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency, saying they had provided sensitive military information to foreign operatives.

The uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz continues to affect global energy markets. The waterway handles a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making any disruption a major concern for international trade and energy security.