Confusion is growing around a possible breakthrough in the Middle East conflict after President Donald Trump and Iranian officials issued sharply opposing claims about ongoing negotiations.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump suggested that a deal to end the war could be within reach, saying discussions were underway and expressing optimism, though stopping short of any guarantees.
Earlier in the day, he announced on social media that planned U.S. attacks on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure would be delayed by five days, citing what he described as ‘productive conversations’ aimed at resolving hostilities in the region.
The move marked a shift from his weekend warning, where he threatened to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power grid if the country failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
Despite Trump’s claims, Iranian officials pushed back strongly, insisting that no direct talks with the United States had taken place and accusing him of spreading false information to influence oil markets and buy time.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, dismissed the idea of negotiations, claiming such reports were being used to manipulate financial conditions and respond to threats of potential U.S. strikes.
Mixed signals also emerged from Iran’s foreign ministry, which acknowledged efforts in the region to ease tensions but maintained that there had been no engagement with Trump’s administration, framing his statements as an attempt to calm markets.
The uncertainty has come against the backdrop of rising oil prices earlier in the day, driven by disruptions to tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, before dropping sharply following Trump’s announcement, a reaction he later referenced.
As the war enters its fourth week, the conflict has already claimed more than 2 000 lives and caused significant strain on the global economy, with repeated strikes targeting key energy sites and infrastructure.
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Tensions remain high over the possibility of further escalation, with Iran warning it could retaliate by targeting energy facilities linked to U.S. interests, including infrastructure in the Persian Gulf.
While Trump’s decision to pause the strikes has eased some immediate pressure, uncertainty persists over whether any real negotiations are taking place, despite claims that U.S. envoys had been in contact with Iranian figures.
Regional players have also stepped in, with Oman working on securing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and other countries attempting to de-escalate the situation, though these efforts differ from the direct talks described by Trump.
Global concern continues to mount, with warnings that ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure could deepen economic disruption, as more assets across multiple countries have already been heavily damaged.
Even as Trump spoke of potential agreements and outlined conditions for a deal, he made it clear that military action remains on the table if talks fail, leaving the situation uncertain and tensions unresolved.
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