Iran says no talks underway with US, denies request to resume negotiations

Iran has not requested talks with the United States and no negotiations are currently underway, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday.

He was rejecting reports that Tehran sought to resume discussions with Washington through Geneva, Doha or Islamabad. Baghaei said Iran's only active talks are with Oman, focused on the Strait of Hormuz.

Is Iran currently holding talks with the US?

No formal negotiations between Iran and the United States are underway. Baghaei said reports describing renewed contact with Washington amount to media speculation, not fact. Tehran's only active discussions are with Oman, covering shipping arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz, not direct engagement with the US.

“Do not pay much attention to these media speculations. We currently have no negotiations with the United States,” Baghaei said, according to remarks reported by Reuters.

What is Iran discussing with Oman?

Baghaei said several rounds of talks between Iran and Oman took place Friday and Saturday. He described the discussions as positive and said traffic conditions through the strait had not changed. He added that mediators may be passing messages between Washington and Tehran, though no direct US talks are taking place.

What did reports say about Iran seeking US talks?

Al Arabiya, citing unnamed sources, reported that Iran told Pakistan it was ready to resume negotiations with the United States in Geneva, Doha or Islamabad under an existing memorandum of understanding. The report said Iran wanted a phased resumption starting with the Strait of Hormuz, followed by frozen assets and then its nuclear program. Iran also told Pakistan it opposed creating a new corridor through the strait, according to the report.

Is China involved in Iran-US diplomacy?

Al Arabiya separately cited a senior source saying China is coordinating with Pakistan on efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States. The reported contacts included reciprocal confidence-building measures that could lead to broader talks on Iran's nuclear program, regional security and sanctions. The source said the initiative aims to involve Gulf states and other regional powers in supporting long-term stability.

Has the conflict between Iran and the US eased?

Iran and the United States carried out no new attacks Monday after weeks of conflict affecting Gulf shipping lanes, military sites and regional allies. Tehran said it had halted retaliatory strikes on Washington's allies in the Middle East, and Iranian army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia confirmed the suspension. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump was allowing negotiations "a little bit of room" while US forces remained ready for further action.

The pause followed 13 consecutive nights of US strikes on Iran, followed by three nights without reported bombing. Oil prices fell Monday as markets reacted to the easing tensions, with Brent crude dropping more than 7% and briefly trading below $90 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate traded at $85.45 a barrel.

What have Trump and Netanyahu said about Iran?

Trump said Friday that discussions with Iran were continuing and suggested Tehran was becoming more serious about negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the White House Tuesday and is expected to press for a firm approach toward Iran's nuclear program. Netanyahu told Fox News he supported ending the program through negotiations if possible, but said it must ultimately be brought to a close.

Elsewhere in the region, Iran-backed Houthi rebels said Sunday they shot down a Saudi drone over northwestern Yemen. The group said it targeted Saudi Aramco sites in Jizan and Yanbu, a day after claiming attacks on Saudi oil facilities following Saudi strikes on Houthi targets Friday.