Trump says US and Iran are holding talks as Tehran denies negotiations
Speaking at the White House, the US president said negotiations were happening “right now” and would move “quickly, one way or another”.
He also claimed the US had been prepared to strike Iran “harder than any attack since World War Two” before he called off planned attacks overnight.
Mr Trump made the comments while he signed an executive order related to supporting military families in the White House on Monday.
It comes after Mr Trump accused Iran of being “unbelievably duplicitous” in denying talks aimed at ending the conflict were being held.
The US president said Tehran had “begged” for negotiations and whether they admitted it or not, discussions were taking place to reach “a solution” to the current stand-off.
He also dismissed Iran’s claims to control the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway as “their usual blather”.
The president made the comments on his Truth Social platform after he said on Sunday he had halted US forces from carrying out “the biggest attack since World War II” to allow for further diplomatic efforts.
He said talks would be held with Iran on Monday, but this was subsequently denied by Tehran.
In response, Mr Trump posted: “Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous!
“They ask for a meeting, some would say ‘beg’, talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they’re only dealing with ‘Oman’.
“They then go on to give their usual blather in saying, the Strait of Hormuz will be operated powerfully by them, when it is already completely controlled by the United States Navy and our ‘Blockade’ or, as some say, ‘The United States Wall of Steel!’
“Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished.
“Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused, for decades.”
Mr Trump’s comments come after Iran denied his claim that more peace talks would begin on Monday.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said today that Tehran is not holding any talks with the US despite President Trump claiming otherwise.
Mr Baghaei said discussions are being held with Oman instead over a temporary route ships can use to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices have dropped to a three-week low after Trump cancelled US strikes.
Brent crude oil fell below 83 US dollars (£61.73) a barrel on Monday, down nearly 6%.
At one stage it fell to a low of about 81.50 dollars (£60.61) a barrel – the lowest level in three weeks.
Politics Editor
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