TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: Iran has denied that it is holding negotiations with the United States, saying its current diplomatic contacts are limited to discussions with Oman over maritime traffic and the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement came after US President Donald Trump said he would prefer to reach an agreement with Iran, adding that he did not want people to be killed. Iranian officials, however, maintained that no negotiations with Washington were taking place.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told a weekly press briefing that reports of direct Iran-US talks were inaccurate.
“There are currently no negotiations between Iran and the United States,” Baghaei said, adding that Tehran’s present contacts were only with Oman.
Iran Says Oman Talks Focus on Strait of Hormuz
Baghaei said the discussions with Oman were focused on ensuring safe maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz and dealing with administrative matters linked to the strategic waterway.
He said recent media reports claiming that Iran and the United States were engaged in negotiations were incorrect, and that Tehran’s immediate focus remained on consultations with Muscat.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes for international trade and energy shipments. Any disruption there can affect global oil supplies, shipping costs and regional security.
The latest developments come amid heightened tensions, renewed pressure on Iran and continuing concern over maritime security in the Gulf, where the Strait of Hormuz remains a crucial route for global energy exports.
Trump Says He Would Prefer an Agreement
Trump said he would prefer to reach a deal with Iran rather than pursue actions that could lead to further deaths.
“I would like to make a deal. I don’t want to kill people,” the US president said.
His remarks prompted fresh speculation about possible diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, although Iranian officials have continued to deny that direct talks are underway.
The two sides are still sending conflicting signals as tensions persist over regional security, sanctions, maritime activity and other strategic disputes.
CNN: Pentagon Seeks ‘Creative and Unconventional’ Ideas Against Iran
In a separate development, CNN reported that the US military had asked personnel and intelligence analysts to suggest “creative and unconventional” ways of increasing pressure on Iran.
According to the report, an intelligence officer within US Central Command sent a message to a broad group of military analysts seeking new ideas for imposing costs on Tehran and increasing pressure on the Iranian government.
The message reportedly called for options that went beyond traditional military planning and could be used more effectively against Iran.
CNN, citing people familiar with the matter, also reported that a senior US military officer had issued a similar request the previous week.
The report did not clarify whether the proposals could involve military operations, economic measures, cyber activity, intelligence operations or other forms of pressure.
Neither the US Department of Defense nor US Central Command had issued a formal response to the report, while the claims could not be independently verified.
Iran-US Diplomatic Uncertainty Remains High
Iran’s denial of direct negotiations, along with reports that the US military is considering new pressure options, shows that the diplomatic picture remains uncertain despite Trump’s stated preference for an agreement.
Tehran is currently concentrating on consultations with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington is publicly leaving the door open to diplomacy even as reports point to continued pressure planning.
Developments around the Strait of Hormuz will remain closely watched because of their possible impact on global energy markets, international shipping and security across the region.
Also Read: Trump Reportedly Halted Iran Strike to Pursue Immediate Deal as Tehran Warns of Strong Response
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