Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced that he is holding back previously threatened large-scale military strikes against Iran, saying fresh diplomatic efforts to end the conflict will begin on Monday.
Trump said the proposed talks would focus on ending the hostilities and restoring cargo movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
However, Iran rejected the claim of direct negotiations with Washington. Iranian state media, quoting the country’s Foreign Ministry, said Tehran is not currently engaged in any talks with the United States.
Trump said he decided against launching major military action after appeals from Gulf allies, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He claimed US forces had prepared what he described as the “largest attack since World War II”, but he chose to give diplomacy more time following requests from regional leaders and appeals from unnamed Iranian officials.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the ongoing discussions were with Oman, not the United States. He clarified that the talks were aimed solely at establishing a temporary mechanism to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and did not involve direct negotiations with Washington.
