The possibility of new US Iran Peace Talks faced fresh uncertainty on Monday after Iran denied reports that direct negotiations with the United States were taking place to end months of conflict.
The development came one day after US President Donald Trump said a major military strike against Iran had been canceled and suggested that a diplomatic agreement could be close. Trump also said discussions related to the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program were expected to continue.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump said the United States had prepared what he described as a large military operation. He said the planned strike was not carried out after regional leaders encouraged a diplomatic approach instead of further military action.
According to Trump, several Gulf leaders supported efforts to reduce tensions through negotiations. He said a new round of discussions between Washington and Tehran was expected to begin on Monday.
Trump expressed confidence that progress could be made on issues involving maritime security and Iran’s nuclear activities. He also suggested that a deal related to the Strait of Hormuz could be reached soon.
However, Iranian officials quickly rejected the claim that direct talks with the United States were underway.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Iran was not engaged in negotiations with Washington. He also stated that Tehran had no plans to send negotiators abroad or host foreign officials in the coming days.
Baghaei said Iran was instead holding discussions with Oman regarding a temporary safe route through the Strait of Hormuz. The move is intended to help reduce pressure on global energy markets and support the movement of commercial shipping through the region.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important maritime routes. A significant share of global oil and energy exports passes through the narrow waterway each day. Any disruption in the area can affect energy prices and international trade.
Following Iran’s denial, Trump criticized the Iranian leadership in a statement posted on social media. He questioned Tehran’s position and argued that discussions had been requested by Iranian officials.
Trump said communication channels had been opened and that additional meetings were expected. He accused Iranian leaders of sending mixed messages about the status of diplomatic efforts.
The US president also highlighted the role of American military operations in the region. He said pressure from the United States had strengthened its negotiating position and repeated his opposition to Iran developing nuclear weapons.
Trump further stated that the United States would continue to monitor activity around the Strait of Hormuz and maintain efforts aimed at protecting international shipping routes.
Despite the sharp exchange of statements, analysts believe both sides may still be exploring ways to reduce tensions. Experts note that public comments often differ from private diplomatic discussions during periods of conflict.
Some observers believe Iran may seek guarantees before entering formal negotiations. Others argue that Tehran is unlikely to make major concessions without changes to previous understandings discussed earlier this year.
Regional diplomacy also appears to be continuing behind the scenes.
On Monday, an Iraqi political figure claimed that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had recently carried messages between Washington and Tehran. The reported effort was described as part of a broader attempt to prevent the conflict from spreading across the region.
Neither the United States nor Iran immediately confirmed those mediation claims. However, Iraq has often played a role in regional diplomatic efforts because of its relationships with both countries.
The latest developments highlight the challenges facing any future agreement. Public disagreements continue, yet diplomatic channels remain active across the Middle East.
As the conflict enters another critical phase, international attention remains focused on whether diplomacy can replace military pressure. The future of US Iran Peace Talks may depend on the willingness of both sides to move beyond public disputes and find common ground on security, regional stability, and nuclear concerns.
For now, official positions remain far apart, leaving uncertainty over whether direct negotiations will begin in the near future.
