Live Updates: Iran Denies Trump’s Claim on U.S. Talks
Wertynews.com – Live Updates: Iran denies Trump’s claim that U.S.-Iran negotiations to begin today after U.S. strikes called off. The diplomatic situation remains fluid as Tehran pushes back against Washington’s assertions about upcoming discussions.
Strait of Hormuz Negotiations Underway
Iran said Monday that its only current negotiations are with Oman to discuss the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Denying President Trump’s claim that the U.S. and Iran would restart negotiations on Monday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said: “Our negotiations are with Oman and are focused on reaching an understanding on a route that will ensure the safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.”
“Our goal is to determine, as soon as possible and in consultation with Oman, a route that will likely be temporary and will enable safe maritime navigation through the Strait,” he added.
The two countries have had “constructive discussions over the past eight days regarding reaching an agreement on a new route,” he said, which would have “both an inbound and outbound route, not two or three separate routes.”
“This middle route is intended to be used temporarily until an agreement is reached on a permanent route,” he said.
Iran has insisted that ships navigating through the waterway should use a route designated by them after requesting permission and paying service fees.
Regional Tensions Escalate
Tehran threatened to take “necessary measures” after Ukraine attacked an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, the country’s foreign ministry said Monday.
“Ukrainian officials … stressed that the incident was unintentional,” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said, referring to the July 25 strike that killed one soldier and wounded another. “However, the evidence and circumstances are quite clear. Among them are the explicit statements made by the President of Ukraine, which indicate that the attack was deliberate.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week that he didn’t want to open a “new front” with the attack on the ship, but said Iran had “already attacked us,” referring to Iran supplying Russia with attack drones.
“We have heard the explanations provided by the Ukrainian authorities, and we are waiting to see whether they will take practical steps that substantiate and confirm their claim that this crime was unintentional,” Baghaei added.
“We will certainly take whatever measures are necessary, both to hold Ukraine accountable and to ensure that such a mistake and crime is not committed again by the Ukrainian side.”
Israel-Gaza Peace Plan Developments
Israel said Monday it had conveyed its “comments and concerns” to the United States on the next phase of a Gaza peace plan as it kept up strikes on the Palestinian territory. President Trump touted the plan last week, saying it includes disarmament of Hamas, one of Iran’s main proxy groups in the region.
It marks the latest sign of friction between Mr. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces a tough reelection fight in October and has heavily promoted his relationship with the U.S. leader, whom he met again last week.
Netanyahu’s office demanded more concrete disarmament by Hamas, which on Friday announced it would give up weapons under a Trump administration plan but to a nascent Palestinian governing committee.
“Israel has conveyed its comments and concerns on the proposed framework to our American counterparts. The version that has been made public does not reflect Israel’s positions,” Doron Spielman, spokesman for the prime minister’s office, told CBS News.
He said that Israeli intelligence had found that Hamas had been rearming and recruiting forces since a ceasefire announced by the president in October.
FAQ: Understanding the Current Situation
Q: What is Iran’s position on U.S.-Iran negotiations? A: Iran denies Trump’s claim that talks will begin Monday, stating negotiations are currently only with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Q: What happened to the Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea? A: Ukraine attacked an Iranian commercial vessel on July 25, killing one soldier and wounding another. Iran claims the attack was deliberate despite Ukraine’s assurances.
Q: How does the Strait of Hormuz situation affect global energy? A: Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas passed through the strait before the war, making it a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.
