Overview
- President Trump told reporters at the White House that talks to stop the five‑month conflict have begun and that he postponed a planned major strike to give diplomacy a chance.
- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghi said no talks have taken place or are planned, that Iranian negotiators remain in the country, and that Tehran will not receive or send foreign delegations in the coming days.
- There is no independent verification that U.S. and Iranian delegations have met, and the only near‑term diplomatic meeting reported is with Oman to discuss control of the Strait of Hormuz.
- The competing statements follow a recurring U.S. pattern of pairing military threats with offers of talks and highlight the strategic role of the Strait of Hormuz, which both sides use as leverage over oil shipments and regional access.
- The contradiction raises the odds that third‑party mediation will be required for real talks and keeps the risk of renewed military action and disruptions to regional shipping and energy supplies high.