People walk past a billboard featuring Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on a street in Tehran, August 3, 2026. — Reuters
– Trump claims negotiations with Iran are set to begin Monday.
– Iran’s foreign ministry denies any such talks are scheduled.
– Oil prices drop after Trump decides against military action.
Iran announced Monday that there are no ongoing negotiations with the U.S. and no meetings planned, contradicting President Donald Trump’s statements earlier that day about talks scheduled for that afternoon, which he cited as reason to cancel proposed attacks.
Over the past five months, Trump has repeatedly announced plans for large-scale strikes on Iran only to back away at the last minute.
“I’d prefer a deal, honestly. I’m not interested in killing people,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Sunday.
He added, “What we’re doing now is talking with them, in the form of negotiations. It starts tomorrow afternoon,” without specifying where or with whom the talks would take place.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed the claims, stating that no negotiations are in progress and no meetings are scheduled. Iran is not planning to host foreign delegations or send representatives abroad in the near future.
Baghaei further explained that all Iranian negotiators are currently inside the country, except Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq. The only active discussions are with Oman regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior Iranian source also told Reuters that no negotiations are planned and that Araghchi will be unavailable until at least the end of the week.
### Repeating Pattern
Monday’s events fit a trend observed over the last five months, since Trump launched “Operation Epic Fury” alongside Israel. On several occasions, Trump has threatened military strikes but then cited diplomatic efforts as reasons for retreating.
Publicly, Iran has rejected negotiations with Washington since a June memorandum aimed at de-escalation collapsed in early July.
Trump has yet to achieve his initial objectives, which include dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, limiting its ability to target regional neighbors, and creating conditions for Iranian regime change.
US escalations have been met with Iran’s increased military responses targeting US forces in the Middle East, along with threats against Washington’s regional allies and shipping lanes. Each time, Trump has retracted his threats.
The dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz remains a main point of contention. Washington insists the June agreement requires Iran to open the vital waterway, while Tehran argues the text maintains its authority over shipping traffic.
This would grant Iran greater influence over the strait than before the conflict, posing a setback to Trump’s goals.
So far, the U.S. has been unable to force Iran to relinquish control, which has led to higher global oil prices and increased gasoline costs in the U.S.
Oil prices fell Monday after Trump’s latest decision to halt military action, with Brent crude futures dropping more than 4% to approximately $84 a barrel.
In the latest incident reported in the Strait of Hormuz, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said overnight that the captain of a vessel reported an explosion near the ship. No injuries were reported.