Speaking to reporters in Washington on Monday, Trump insisted that negotiations with Iran are ongoing despite Tehran’s denial. He said Iran has one final chance to sign an agreement concerning the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear weapons program.
“We are talking right now. This is their last chance to sign a good document. I want to give them every possible opportunity before beheading,” Trump said.
President Trump added that he agreed to continue negotiations with Iran following requests from several countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and others.
He said the discussions should primarily focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route used to transport oil and other goods.
Trump stated that the issue of reopening the waterway could be resolved “even tomorrow,” but noted that eliminating Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities could take much longer.
The United States and Iran have been at war since February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched surprise strikes on Iran.
Despite Trump’s remarks, Iran has denied that it is engaged in direct negotiations with the United States.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran is instead holding talks with Oman aimed at finding a way to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Baqaei said both sides were close to reaching an agreement on the shipping routes vessels would use, but stressed that this should not be interpreted as meaning that the Strait of Hormuz has been fully reopened.
