Iran refuses to negotiate with US amid Trump's claims

Tehran: Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ismail Baqai said on Monday that his country is not currently negotiating with the United States, but talks with Oman on establishing a temporary safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz are ongoing.

Baqai said that reaching an agreement with Oman would not be enough to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as the situation would remain unchanged as long as US aggression continues. He explained that the new maritime route being discussed with Oman would be a single route with separate lanes for entry and exit.

According to the Iranian spokesman, the talks are bilateral between the two coastal states, Iran and Oman. He said that other countries could play a constructive or negative role in the process, but the main issue is between Iran and Oman, and what happens next will be decided later.

Baqai emphasized that agreeing on the route for maritime traffic and ensuring the security of ships is a necessary condition for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but it is not the only condition. He said that the Strait of Hormuz was not closed due to differences between Iran and Oman, but rather due to US and Israeli military actions since February 2026.

Regarding the resumption of talks with the US, Baqai said that there are no plans to host a US delegation in the coming days, nor will Iran send a delegation to another country. He said that Pakistan is playing a mediating role between Iran and the US, and China has not been added as a new mediator, although Qatar is providing assistance when needed.

Baqai mentioned Iran's strong relations with China and cooperation in various fields, saying that Tehran and Beijing share concerns over the US's "destructive and aggressive unilateral policies". This statement comes as US news agency Associated Press reported that sources said the US and Iran are focusing on restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and lifting US sanctions on Iranian ports in their announced talks.

The US news agency added that the talks would also include stopping all attacks in the region, including those carried out by Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq. Additionally, the resumption of Iranian oil exports without any obstacles would be discussed.

According to the report, the Middle Eastern countries mediating between Washington and Tehran plan to increase their contacts with both sides in the coming days. The report suggested that the two sides may return to the basic points of the memorandum of understanding signed on June 18.

US Secretary of Defense Pat Higsth on Monday reiterated President Donald Trump's statements, saying that the US military remains on high alert and is ready for any action. He said that Trump's decision to postpone an attack on Iran has not affected US military preparedness.

Higsth said on social media platform X that the Department of Defense has maintained a level of readiness unseen since World War II, and the US military is fully prepared. On the other hand, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Sunday that talks between Iran and Oman on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz have reached the final stages and an agreement is close.

Araghchi said on Telegram that he had reported on the latest developments in the talks with Oman to the Iranian cabinet, noting progress in the negotiations. He said that the talks have entered the final stage and are close to being completed, but did not provide further details on the nature of the agreement or the announcement date.

On social media platform X, Seyyed Majid Ibn al-Rida said that the enemy's recent statements may be part of a psychological and cognitive war, but every threat is considered real and must be taken seriously. He said that Iran will not be caught off guard by any sudden situation and will not remain inactive, using every threat as a basis for increasing preparations, strengthening defense capabilities, and further increasing its power.

Earlier, President Trump announced that he had canceled an attack on Iran and announced talks. He wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that the US was fully prepared for a military action against Iran, with a force, power, and action not seen since World War II. However, the action was postponed at the request of Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, as a proposed agreement is being considered, which includes the immediate, full, and unobstructed opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the elimination of Iran's nuclear threat.