Key facts
- President Trump announced new talks with Iran to end the ongoing war would begin Monday.
- Iran denied U.S. talks, stating negotiations were only with Oman regarding a new Strait of Hormuz route.
- Trump accused Iran of being 'duplicitous' for denying U.S. discussions.
- Nine vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz Sunday, many using an Iranian-controlled route.
- The Israeli military conducted strikes in Gaza over the weekend, killing at least 17 people.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that new talks to wind down the monthslong conflict with Iran would begin Monday, despite Iranian officials stating their diplomatic efforts were focused on neighboring nations. Trump accused Iran of being "duplicitous" for denying U.S. discussions while pursuing negotiations with Oman over a new Strait of Hormuz route, a crucial waterway for global energy transport.
Trump stated that whether "Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking," and revealed he had called off a large-scale strike against Iran at the urging of Gulf allies. He noted that requests for a meeting had been made by unnamed Iranian officials.
Iran's Foreign Ministry, however, maintained that the country was not currently holding negotiations with the United States, with spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stating that ongoing talks were solely with Oman and focused on establishing a temporary route for safe navigation through the channel. Nine vessels transited the strait Sunday, many using an Iranian-controlled route.
In other regional developments, the Israeli military conducted strikes in Gaza over the weekend, which hospitals reported killed at least 17 people, including children. Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Iraq for Arbaeen commemorations, while Iran's trade minister traveled to Pakistan to discuss easing transit bottlenecks. Syrian and Iraqi leaders also met to discuss regional security cooperation, amid ongoing drone strikes targeting American interests in Iraq by Iranian-backed militias.