Arabic version: ترامب يزعم أن محادثات مع إيران ستبدأ قريباً

According to Al Jazeera, United States President Donald Trump said new negotiations with Iran were set to begin on Monday after he called off what he described as planned “massive strikes” on Iran. Trump gave no details on the location of the proposed talks or who would take part, and declined to say whether there was a deadline for an agreement.

Trump said on Monday that the cancelled attack would have been the “biggest attack since World War II”. He said a deal was imminent concerning the Strait of Hormuz and ultimately Iran’s denuclearisation. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, said the same day that Iran would not host a delegation or be guests of another country “during these days”. It was unclear whether his statement ruled out indirect negotiations through mediators.

Al Jazeera reported that Iran has been holding bilateral discussions with Oman focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and measures for doing so. Baghaei said Tehran had held talks with Oman for the past seven to eight days and that some progress had been made. On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations with Oman on the future management of the waterway were in their final stages, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency.

The Strait of Hormuz was essentially closed by Iran in early March after US and Israeli air strikes began on February 28. It was closed again last week after a dispute over shipping routes, while the US restarted its naval blockade on Iranian ports. Trump said Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had asked him to pause attacks and pursue a deal. US officials nevertheless said they remained prepared to launch further attacks. After Trump called off the planned strikes, Brent crude futures fell $4.08 to $83.85 per barrel late on Sunday, while West Texas intermediate fell $4.01 to $80.66.