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- He said Iran knew military action was imminent and that diplomacy was being given another chance.
- Trump said an agreement in principle on the Strait of Hormuz exists and expressed confidence in a broader denuclearisation deal.
- Iran has not confirmed the talks, while officials say they are close to an agreement with Oman on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Oil prices fell nearly 5% after the announcement, even as tensions remained high following an explosion near an oil tanker.
US President Donald Trump has announced that new negotiations with Iran are due to begin on Monday after he postponed planned joint US-Israeli military strikes against the Islamic Republic, saying he wanted to give diplomacy another chance.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington from New Jersey, Trump said Iran was aware that military action had been imminent.
“Of course they don’t want to be attacked. They knew the scale of what was taking shape. What we are going to do now is talk to them through negotiations. That will begin tomorrow afternoon,” he said.
Trump did not specify where the talks would take place, how long they would last or who would participate.
Neither Tehran nor the countries said to be mediating have confirmed that negotiations are scheduled.
Military option remains on the table
Trump repeated his claim that there is an agreement in principle regarding the Strait of Hormuz and expressed confidence that a broader agreement on what he described as Iran’s “denuclearisation” could also be reached.
Western governments have long accused Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons, an allegation Iran continues to deny.
The US president also stressed that American forces remain ready to act if ordered.
A day earlier, Trump said he had cancelled planned US-Israeli strikes, which he described as being of unprecedented military scale, on the condition that a rapid agreement could be reached, particularly on the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
He later said the decision followed requests from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran, adding that the planned attack would have been “devastating” for Iran.
Hormuz remains a key obstacle
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil exports, has remained effectively closed since Tehran reimposed restrictions following renewed hostilities with the United States in early July, disrupting international energy markets.
The “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding”, signed by Washington and Tehran in mid-June as a framework for a diplomatic solution within an initial 60-day period, has failed to produce progress after fighting resumed.
Since the conflict escalated on 28 February with US-Israeli strikes against Iran, Trump has repeatedly threatened large-scale military action before stepping back in favour of diplomacy.
Although Tehran has not confirmed Monday’s negotiations, Iranian officials said they are close to reaching an agreement with Oman over shipping arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has insisted that vessels continue to follow a route close to its coastline rather than returning to pre-war navigation patterns, arguing that this protects its sovereignty and national security.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the two sides were close to agreeing on a route acceptable to both countries while respecting each state’s sovereign rights and security interests.
Oil prices fall after announcement
Oil prices fell sharply following Trump’s announcement.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped by almost 5% in early trading to around $84 per barrel, after rising above $100 per barrel in late July.
Despite hopes for negotiations, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz remain high.
The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which operates under the Ministry of Defence, reported an explosion near an oil tanker in the area on Sunday night. No casualties were reported.
Conflict widens across the region
Trump continues to face pressure to end the conflict, which has increasingly affected domestic political support.
According to US media reports, his administration had been preparing large-scale strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure over the weekend, including refineries and power stations, with Israeli participation reportedly under consideration.
Saudi Arabia’s state news agency SPA reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump during a phone call to prioritise dialogue in order to reduce regional tensions.
Meanwhile, the conflict has expanded into the Red Sea after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement announced a blockade of Saudi ports and launched attacks on oil tankers and port facilities.
The developments have increased concerns over commercial shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another critical maritime route that has become even more important following the disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Also read: Man suspected of spying on UK military base for Iran arrested in Cyprus
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