President Trump on Monday rejected claims by Iranian officials that no peace negotiations were underway between the two nations, labeling the statements as "duplicitous." The president asserted on his Truth Social platform that Iran had initiated discussions and that further talks were scheduled.
"Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous!" Trump wrote. "They ask for a meeting, some would say 'beg,' talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they're not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they're only dealing with 'Oman.'"
Trump's remarks came in response to comments made by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, who stated during a press conference that "We are not currently holding negotiations with the United States. Our talks are with Oman."
The president also dismissed Iranian assertions of control over the Strait of Hormuz as "blather," insisting that the United States maintained authority over the crucial waterway. "Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished," he stated.
This exchange occurs days after Trump announced he had called off a large-scale military strike against Iran over the weekend, which he described as potentially the "biggest attack since WWII." He cited requests from allies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, to postpone the operation, suggesting it was in part due to the prospect of a deal.
Trump reiterated that efforts to end the conflict with Iran were ongoing. "It is very simple, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon!" he added.
Earlier this week, reports surfaced regarding an email from the U.S. Central Command's intelligence branch soliciting "new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran." A CENTCOM spokesperson defended the email, stating it aligned with the organization's "long history of thinking and working in innovative ways."
The conflict, which began in February, has reportedly cost $37.5 billion and resulted in the deaths of eighteen U.S. service members, according to Pentagon estimates.
Trump has previously considered retaliatory airstrikes, including a potential strike on a site believed to hold enriched uranium. However, he has also signaled a preference for a peaceful resolution, often citing ongoing negotiations as a reason to refrain from threatened military actions. Mentioned within the president's remarks is the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil transport.
Iranian missiles, identified as 'Zolfaghar,' were displayed in Tehran on July 30, 2026.
Explosions were reported in an Iranian city following multiple U.S. strikes.
