As US signals new diplomatic push, Iran rejects Trump's ‘very strong talks’ claim
Even if the two sides resumed negotiations, Iran has laid out tough conditions for ending the war.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is touting prospects for a deal to end the war, even as Iran flatly denies negotiations are underway and continues to wield leverage over the Strait of Hormuz.
Before markets opened Monday, Trump said the two countries had resumed negotiations that were suspended after the joint US-Israeli offensive began last month, later telling reporters in Florida there were "major points of agreement" following "very strong talks" on Sunday.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf denied that any "negotiations" had taken place. But a number of countries, including traditional mediators Qatar and Oman as well as Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan, are working to facilitate indirect communication between the two sides.
Axios reported Monday on an effort to arrange a meeting in Islamabad between US and Iranian officials, possibly as soon as this week. A Turkish source later told Al-Monitor that the United States has proposed holding talks between Ghalibaf and Vice President JD Vance.
