Iran on Monday denied that it is engaged in direct negotiations with the United States, contradicting comments by President Donald Trump that talks were set to resume.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran is not holding direct discussions with Washington and is instead negotiating only with Oman regarding a temporary arrangement for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Our negotiations are being conducted with Oman and are focused on reaching understandings on a safe route through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baghaei said, adding that the proposed route would be temporary and intended to ensure commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.

Baghaei said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s regional diplomatic efforts are aimed at addressing regional instability and protecting Iran’s interests.

He also claimed Pakistan is serving as a mediator, Qatar is assisting those efforts, and China is working to prevent further escalation, though not acting as a formal mediator.

Baghaei warned that Iran expects neighboring countries not to allow their territory to be used for attacks against the Islamic Republic.

He further cautioned that “if the United States continues to violate the memorandum of understanding, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not change.”

The remarks came just hours after President Trump said negotiations with Iran would resume Monday afternoon and suggested the talks would focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping and dismantling Iran’s nuclear program.

“There will be a deal on Hormuz, and then there will be a deal on the nuclear issue—or, as I call it, the denuclearization of Iran,” Trump said.

The president added that while military action remains an option, he would prefer a negotiated agreement.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)