Washington [US], August 3 – US President Donald Trump said fresh negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday after he called off what he described as planned “massive” military strikes saying diplomacy now has a chance to end months of conflict.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday Trump said the United States was entering a new round of talks with Tehran after requests from Iran and key US partners in the Middle East to delay military action.
“We’re talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon,” Trump said adding that he was prepared to use force if diplomacy failed but preferred a negotiated settlement.
In an earlier post on Truth Social, Trump said the outlines of a deal had already been agreed and that discussions would focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iran’s nuclear programme. He said Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar had urged Washington to avoid launching strikes believing an agreement was within reach.
Iran has not officially responded to Trump’s announcement. However, Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency rejected his claim that Tehran had requested the United States to postpone military action calling it “nothing but a new lie.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations with Oman on arrangements related to the Strait of Hormuz were progressing towards finalisation according to Iranian media.
Financial markets reacted positively to Trump’s remarks. Brent crude and US benchmark oil prices both fell by more than four percent in early Asian trading on Monday as concerns over disruptions to energy supplies eased.
Trump did not disclose where the talks would take place or who would participate leaving uncertainty over whether the latest diplomatic effort can produce a lasting breakthrough.
