US President Donald Trump stated that new talks with Iran would begin on Monday. Trump claimed that Iran and some Middle Eastern countries requested additional time to reach a comprehensive agreement.
The US President also claimed he halted a planned large-scale military operation to allow for the possibility of a diplomatic solution. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, 'They said we would much prefer a deal.'
According to Trump, the proposed deal would include the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz to international maritime traffic and addressing the threat from Iran's nuclear program.
Tehran denies negotiations
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denied that Iran is currently conducting negotiations with the United States. Iranian media also denied that Tehran had asked US President Donald Trump not to carry out strikes.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the only current contact with Washington involves technical consultations via Oman regarding a temporary safe passage corridor through the Strait of Hormuz.
We are not currently negotiating with the United States.
Baghaei stated that a potential agreement with Oman would not be sufficient to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to full commercial shipping capacity. He added that conditions would not change as long as US military pressure or aggression against Iran continues.
Market reaction and maritime tension
Following Trump's announcement, according to market data, Brent crude for September delivery dropped more than 6% to $82.41 a barrel in early trade.
In maritime developments, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported three additional attacks since Saturday. According to maritime tracking services, over the weekend, two Saudi Arabian oil tankers, the Lesvos and Desh Vaibhav, crossed the Bab el-Mandeb Strait with their Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking systems switched off. According to shipping data, these tankers were carrying approximately three million barrels of Saudi oil.
According to reports, the Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group that has controlled most of Yemen's more populous areas, including the capital Sanaa, for over a decade. Meanwhile, according to reports, Iran and the United States had previously agreed on a framework deal to end the war in mid-June, with details to be finalized during a 60-day transition period.
