New York, Aug. 4: Fresh uncertainty has emerged over the future of the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump claimed that discussions with Iran could lead to the strategic waterway reopening “literally by tomorrow,” while Tehran categorically denied that any negotiations with the United States were underway.
The conflicting statements have renewed attention on the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 per cent of the world’s fossil fuel supplies pass, leaving the future of one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes uncertain.
Speaking at the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said Iran was being given what he described as a “last chance before decapitation.” He added that discussions over reopening the Strait of Hormuz were moving quickly and suggested an outcome could come “literally by tomorrow.”
Iran, however, rejected the claim. Speaking at a news briefing in Tehran a few hours before Trump’s remarks, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran was “not holding any negotiations with the United States at present.” He added that, except for Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is on a pilgrimage to Iraq, all members of Iran’s negotiating team were in the country.
Responding on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the Iranian leadership of being “unbelievably duplicitous,” alleging that after seeking talks they publicly denied any discussions.
Baqaei did confirm that Iran was holding consultations with Oman regarding what Iran’s Tasnim news agency described as a temporary arrangement to ensure maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz. He said the discussions involved only Muscat and Tehran and that no other country was participating.
Trump also said he had postponed a planned large-scale bombing campaign on Sunday after receiving requests from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and several others to refrain from military action. According to the Saudi Press Agency, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump on Sunday and stressed the need to prioritise dialogue, reduce tensions and pursue a truce that could create conditions for diplomatic solutions.
The US President further claimed that Iran became alarmed after details of the proposed military operation were leaked and had subsequently expressed a desire to discuss the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said a Memorandum of Understanding on reopening the Strait had been signed by him and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on June 17. According to Trump, the arrangement later collapsed after Iran attacked ships in the Strait and the United States blockaded Iranian ports.
The latest developments follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump in Washington last week. Media reports subsequently said the United States had prepared for a possible military strike, potentially alongside Israel.
The report also noted that Gulf countries remain interested in preventing a wider conflict because they face the immediate consequences of any escalation. It added that an Iranian attack on a US base in Jordan last month killed three US Army personnel, including one of Indian origin. During the renewed confrontation, Iran also struck Bahrain and Kuwait, while Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen targeted Saudi oil installations near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, disrupting shipping through another key regional maritime route.
