Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei rejected US President Donald Trump's claim Monday that negotiations with Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz would resume, stating flatly that Iran is not currently in talks with the United States.
"At this time, we are not engaged in any talks with the US," Baghaei said, according to multiple reports. "Negotiations are underway with Oman to reach an agreement on a route that will ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."
The denial directly contradicts Trump's statement Sunday night that talks would begin Monday afternoon, following his decision to call off planned military strikes. The US president had announced that "the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to" on reopening the crucial waterway.
According to Baghaei, Iran will not alter its position on the strait as long as the United States continues what Tehran characterizes as hostile actions. "As long as the United States continues its violations, there will naturally be no significant change in the situation in the Strait of Hormuz," the spokesman said.
Iran's focus remains on negotiations with Oman alone, Baghaei emphasized. The discussions between Tehran and Muscat, which have been ongoing since the April 2026 ceasefire, center on establishing a temporary safe shipping corridor through the waterway. Baghaei noted that reaching an agreement with Oman over a route "is not sufficient for opening the strait" under current conditions.
The proposed new maritime route would differ from both the existing northern and southern passages, Baghaei indicated. According to his description, the route would be a single designated corridor with dedicated entry and exit points, designed to account for both nations' sovereignty rights and Iran's stated security interests.
Baghaei stressed that Iran's position remains immovable: "The Strait of Hormuz will under no circumstances return to the status it held before February 28." That date marks the beginning of the broader US-Iran military conflict.
Iranian officials have previously rejected claims that Tehran requested the American strikes be halted, with military officials denouncing Trump's assertion as what they called "nothing but a new lie." Military sources told state media that Iranian forces remain on high alert.
The contradiction between Trump's public statements and Iran's denials represents the latest breakdown in diplomatic messaging over negotiations regarding the vital shipping waterway, which carries roughly one-third of global maritime oil trade.
