By Rajwa Quasim
President Donald Trump claimed that a new set of talks is going to begin on Monday after he called off attacks on Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei denied this claim, saying that no such talks were planned and the only negotiation ongoing is with Oman. He further added that Iran has no plans to host delegations or send negotiators abroad in coming days.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said, “Now what we’re doing is talking to them, in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon.”
Political analysts say that since the start of the recent U.S.-Iran conflict, Trump has repeatedly announced plans for “massive attacks” on Iran, only to later step back, often citing diplomatic efforts and opportunities for a peaceful resolution. Most recently, he said he had halted an imminent attack after regional allies requested additional time to pursue negotiations.
READ: US, Iran pause strikes for third straight day to make room for talks (July 27, 2026)
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II. Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to. This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat. Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL. The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
According to Iranian officials, there’s a talk underway with Oman regarding the control of the Strait of Hormuz and all other officials are in the country except Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi who’s on a pilgrimage visit in Iraq. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei added that reaching an agreement with Oman is not sufficient to reopen the Strait, as the situation will remain unchanged with the U.S. “aggression” continuing.
Washington and Tehran had reached a broad framework in June, signing Memorandum of Understanding which collapsed in July. The U.S. argues that any agreement must guarantee unrestricted international shipping, meanwhile Iran wants to retain its hold in order to supervise transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Ever since then, Tehran has publicly rejected negotiations with Washington.
Operation Epic Fury, launched by the United States in coordination with Israel, aimed to dismantle Iran’s alleged nuclear program, reduce its ability to threaten regional rivals, and create conditions that could encourage Iranians to challenge the country’s clerical leadership. Analysts say Washington has yet to achieve those objectives.
READ: Brent crude jumps more than 4% amid latest US-Iran strikes (July 13, 2026)
Following Trump’s decision to pause planned strikes on Iran in favor of diplomacy, Brent crude prices fell more than 4% to about $84 a barrel. The decline came after oil prices had surged above $90 a barrel late last month following an attack on an oil tanker off Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. Despite the pullback, analysts expect Brent crude to remain in the upper $70s per barrel through August and September amid continuing geopolitical tensions.
In July, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Tehran of failing to engage seriously in negotiations with Washington while reaffirming that the United States remained committed to pursuing diplomacy in the Middle East.
Earlier this year, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed on social media to avenge his father’s death. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that launched Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28.