US President Donald Trump announced on Monday, August 3, 2026, that a fresh round of talks with Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and reopening the Strait of Hormuz would begin.

Following this announcement, oil prices fell sharply in early Asian trading. However, Iranian authorities dismissed the claim of direct talks with the US. The Iranian Foreign Ministry clarified that Iran is not currently negotiating with the United States but is engaged in discussions with Oman to secure a temporary safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized that negotiations are limited to Oman and rejected the notion of ongoing US-Iran talks. This statement came after Trump’s remarks about a peace deal scheduled to start on Monday.

Iran and the United States had previously agreed in mid-June on a framework deal intended to end the war, with details to be finalized during a 60-day transition period. Despite this, both sides have since conducted major attacks.

An Iranian official was quoted saying, "We are not currently negotiating with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz," and added, "They said we would much prefer a deal as opposed to an attack, because you don't know where these attacks lead."

This development occurs amid ongoing tensions in the US-Israel war with Iran and its wider impact across the Middle East.

Sources