U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday as efforts continue to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but he declined to set a deadline for reaching an agreement.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday after returning to Washington, Trump said talks would start on Monday afternoon but did not disclose the venue or participants. When asked whether Iran had a deadline to strike a deal, he responded: “Would I rather make a deal? I’m not looking to kill people because people die, a lot of people die, and we don’t want that.”
Trump had earlier revealed on Truth Social that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries requested more time to finalize an agreement that would lead to “the Immediate, Complete and Total” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and “an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” while insisting Tehran must “rapidly make a DEAL.”
The talks come after months of escalating tensions following the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran. Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz through which about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas passes has driven up energy prices, although oil prices fell by more than 4% in early trading on Monday amid renewed hopes for diplomacy.
READ ALSO: US House Votes to Restrict Trump’s Iran War Powers
Meanwhile, Iran intensified diplomatic engagements, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi holding discussions with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Iranian officials also confirmed that talks with Oman on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz are nearing completion, stressing the negotiations are “no link to the Strait of Hormuz being opened or closed. That is a separate discussion.”
Despite the diplomatic efforts, Israel maintained its hardline stance. Energy Minister Eli Cohen warned: “With or without an agreement, and regardless of any external commitments, if Iran attempts to renew its nuclear program or advance its ballistic missile industries, we will be there. We will take action, and we will strike.”
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had met in Washington last week to discuss diplomatic, economic and military options to curb Iran’s nuclear programme, while Tehran continues to deny pursuing nuclear weapons.
