Iran US Talks Denied as Trump Cites Diplomacy to Cancel Strike

IRAN – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – Iran US talks denied — that’s the message coming straight from Tehran today. Iran’s government says there are no ongoing discussions with Washington and no meetings scheduled anytime soon. This directly contradicts what US President Donald Trump claimed just a day earlier.

Trump had said talks with Iran would begin Sunday afternoon. He used this claim to explain why he called off a planned military strike. But he never named a location or said who would be involved.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump hinted he’d prefer a peaceful outcome rather than more conflict. Still, his statement left many questions unanswered, especially since Iran quickly pushed back.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, flatly denied the claim. He said no negotiations are happening and no foreign delegations are expected in Iran soon. Iranian negotiators, he added, are not traveling anywhere either.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei says there are no current negotiations with the US and no plans for any meetings, while talks with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz continue. pic.twitter.com/lr9DqPs67K

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) August 3, 2026

There’s one exception. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is currently on a religious trip in Iraq. He’s expected to remain unavailable for talks until later this week, according to a senior Iranian source.

Baghaei confirmed the only real discussions happening right now involve Oman, not the US. Those talks are focused on managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.

This isn’t the first time this has happened. Over the past five months, Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with major military action. Each time, he has backed off at the last moment, often citing diplomatic progress.

Iran, meanwhile, has consistently refused direct talks with the US since a ceasefire agreement broke down in July. Tensions have remained high ever since.

Trump’s original war goals haven’t been met. He wanted to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, weaken its regional influence, and encourage internal political change. None of that has happened so far.

Each round of US pressure has triggered pushback from Iran. This includes actions against US military bases, regional allies, and shipping lanes. Every time, the situation has ended with Trump stepping back from major action.

The Strait of Hormuz remains the biggest sticking point. The US insists Iran agreed to keep the waterway open. Iran says the agreement actually protected its authority over the strait.

This disagreement matters a lot. If Iran keeps its current control, it could end up in a stronger position than before the war even started.

Markets reacted quickly to Trump’s decision to hold back. Oil prices dropped over 4 percent on Monday, with Brent crude falling to around $84 a barrel.

Meanwhile, tensions in the strait continue. A maritime safety group reported an explosion near a vessel overnight. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

As it stands, the gap between Trump’s public statements and Iran’s official position keeps growing. For now, diplomacy remains stalled, and uncertainty continues to hang over the region.