President Donald Trump said Sunday that he called off what he described as “the biggest attack since WWII” after Iran and several key Middle Eastern allies urged the United States to pursue diplomacy instead of expanding the war.
By Monday morning, Iran publicly rejected Trump’s account.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said no negotiations with the United States are scheduled, directly contradicting Trump’s claim that talks would resume Monday afternoon.
Hours later, Trump responded forcefully, accusing Iran’s leadership of saying one thing privately while telling the world something entirely different.
Trump: Iran Asked for the Meeting
Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar—and even Iran itself—encouraged the U.S. to pause military operations and give diplomacy another chance.
“They think there’s a deal,” Trump told reporters.
According to Trump, negotiations would first focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz before expanding to Iran’s nuclear program.
His comments suggested the two sides were moving closer to a diplomatic breakthrough after months of escalating military action.
Iran Publicly Rejects Trump’s Claim
Iran quickly pushed back.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran has no plans to send or receive any negotiating delegation, contradicting Trump’s timeline.
Instead, Iran’s foreign minister is traveling to Iraq for a religious pilgrimage.
Iran also insisted discussions with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz are strictly bilateral and not negotiations with Washington.
The public denial continues a familiar pattern throughout the conflict. U.S. officials have repeatedly suggested backchannel discussions are underway, while Iranian leaders have consistently denied direct talks even as regional mediators reportedly continue passing messages between both governments.
Trump Fires Back: ‘Unbelievably Duplicitous’
Trump wasted little time responding.
In a post on Truth Social, the president blasted Iran’s leadership as “unbelievably duplicitous,” claiming Tehran privately requested negotiations before publicly denying they were happening.
According to Trump, Iranian officials “begged” for a meeting over the weekend, leading him to suspend planned military strikes.
He argued that while Iran now insists it is only dealing with Oman, discussions with the United States are continuing behind the scenes.
Trump also dismissed Iran’s claims over the Strait of Hormuz, saying the waterway is effectively controlled by the U.S. Navy.
He reiterated that nothing would move into or out of Iran without U.S. approval until either a negotiated agreement or what he called “total surrender” is achieved.
The president ended his statement by repeating one of his administration’s central foreign policy objectives:
“IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!”
The Strait of Hormuz Remains the Biggest Flashpoint
Beyond the dispute over negotiations, the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important geopolitical pressure points.
Iranian officials say discussions with Oman continue regarding future operations in the strategic waterway, but Tehran insists the strait will never return to its pre-war status.
Iran also maintains it intends to exercise greater control over vessels passing through the passage and could eventually charge transit fees—a position rejected by the United States and much of the international community.
Because roughly 20% of global oil supplies normally transit the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption could send energy prices sharply higher.
The Human Cost Continues to Grow
The latest diplomatic dispute comes as the conflict continues to exact a heavy toll.
Since fighting intensified earlier this year:
- At least 18 U.S. service members have been killed (Source)
- More than 600 American troops have been wounded (Source)
- Iran has continued attacks against U.S. forces and regional allies
- American military operations have expanded while maintaining pressure around Iranian ports
Iranian-backed Houthi forces have also attacked Saudi energy infrastructure, raising concerns that the conflict could spread further across the Middle East.
Military Options May Be Narrowing
Some regional security analysts believe additional U.S. airstrikes may have limited ability to force Iran into changing its position.
While Iran would likely suffer additional military damage, analysts argue Tehran still retains the ability to disrupt shipping, energy infrastructure, and regional stability—making a negotiated settlement increasingly attractive if one can be reached.
Monday’s public exchange, however, underscores how far apart the two sides remain.
What Investors Should Watch
The latest developments leave markets weighing two very different narratives.
Trump continues to insist diplomacy is progressing behind the scenes and that agreements covering both the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program remain within reach.
Iran, meanwhile, is publicly denying negotiations while continuing to assert control over one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
For investors, several key risks remain in focus:
- Whether negotiations actually begin
- The future of the Strait of Hormuz
- The outlook for global oil prices
- The possibility of renewed U.S. military strikes
Until Washington and Tehran publicly align on whether talks are even taking place, geopolitical uncertainty is likely to remain elevated—and with it, the potential for continued market volatility.
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