Donald Trump says talks to end the six-month war are starting Monday. Iran says: nope, not with you.

Here’s what’s actually happening, via cbinews.tv:

So, in case you missed it, President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday that fresh negotiations with Iran would begin Monday afternoon to try to end the war, now in its sixth month.

Iran’s response? A pretty firm denial.

Speaking at his weekly briefing, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said: “We are not currently negotiating with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”

It’s a familiar pattern in this conflict. Washington and Tehran have been at war since February 28th, when the US and Israel launched surprise strikes against Iran. Since then, we’ve had months of on-off diplomacy, threats, and brief periods of calm.

Just last week, Trump had threatened to hit Iran “very hard”, reportedly weighing up strikes on energy infrastructure. Then on Saturday he pulled back, saying the “perimeters” of a deal were there.

According to Trump, Iran itself, plus Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, had asked him to hold off on what he claimed would have been “the biggest attack since World War II”. Iranian media denied Tehran asked for any such pause.

The real sticking point remains the Strait of Hormuz. Before the war, there was free passage through the vital shipping lane. Now Iran has been obstructing vessels, even firing on commercial ships, and insists on controlling the route that hugs its coast and charging fees – something Washington flat-out rejects.

Baqaei told state TV on Sunday that a separate understanding with Oman – which sits on the other side of the narrow waterway – was close.

“We are now going to reach an understanding on a route acceptable to both sides — neither the northern route nor the southern route — but one that respects the sovereign rights of both sides and safeguards our national interests and security,” he said. He was clear, though, that this wouldn’t mean a full reopening of the strait.

Tensions on the water are still high. On Sunday, UKMTO reported a tanker off the coast of Oman heard an explosion nearby. The crew and vessel were reported safe.

Trump said Sunday’s new talks – which he summed up as “It begins tomorrow” – would cover both Hormuz and the denuclearisation of Iran. The US says the war was necessary over Iran’s nuclear programme. Tehran insists its programme is entirely civilian.

A previous ceasefire deal collapsed last month. That one was meant to reopen Hormuz for energy exports from the Gulf. Now, Iranian lawmaker Hassan Ghashghavi says mediators are trying to revive the US-Iran memorandum of understanding agreed in June – not a final peace deal, but a stepping stone that did include provisions on Hormuz.

“They know that the main issue and, in fact, the key to the matter right now is the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, so yes, there is an exchange of views,” Ghashghavi said.

As Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on X: “We must strive to compel the enemy to remain committed to what it has signed.”

So – talks tomorrow? According to Trump, yes. According to Tehran, not with America. Watch this space.

Reporting via cbinews.tv

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