Trump Blasts ‘Unbelievably Duplicitous’ Iran After Tehran Denies Peace Talks
President Donald Trump tore into Iran’s leadership Monday, accusing Tehran of being “unbelievably duplicitous” after Iranian officials publicly denied holding peace negotiations with the United States just days after Trump canceled plans for a massive new military attack.
Trump said Iranian officials had privately sought discussions with the United States before publicly claiming they were only negotiating with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz. The president argued that Tehran’s conflicting statements were another example of Iranian leaders refusing to publicly acknowledge negotiations even while diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes.
The dispute erupted after Trump called off what he described as a “massive attack” against Iran over the weekend. Trump said Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran had urged him to hold off, with regional leaders expressing confidence that an agreement could be reached instead of another major round of fighting.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei disputed Trump’s account Monday, insisting there were no direct negotiations with Washington scheduled and claiming Tehran was only engaged in discussions with Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Trump fired back that negotiations were taking place regardless of whether Iran wanted to publicly admit it.
Trump also rejected Tehran’s claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz, pointing to the overwhelming presence of the U.S. Navy in the strategically vital waterway. He described the American blockade as the “United States Wall of Steel” and warned that nothing would be permitted to reach Iran unless Washington allowed it.
The administration’s demands remain centered on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon. Trump warned that Tehran ultimately faces a choice between reaching an agreement and “total surrender,” making clear that the military option remains available if diplomacy collapses.
Pakistan is also attempting to keep diplomacy moving, with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar inviting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad for talks. No date has been announced, and uncertainty remains over whether Iran will ultimately agree to the conditions sought by Washington.
Trump’s decision to cancel the weekend attack gave Tehran another opportunity to reach an agreement without facing another major American military operation. But his latest warning makes clear that patience is limited, with the president insisting that Iran’s public denials will not change his demand for a deal that ends its nuclear threat and restores free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.