Trump threatens renewed US strikes as Iran denies direct negotiations

US President Donald Trump threatened a return to military action against Iran on Monday, July 27, 2026, if diplomatic efforts did not quickly produce an agreement, even as Tehran publicly denied that direct negotiations were under way.

Trump told Axios that the United States was in what he described as deep talks with Iran, but said the diplomatic window would be brief. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei offered a sharply different account, saying intermediaries might relay messages from Washington but that Iran was not currently negotiating with the United States.

The conflicting statements came after the United States paused nearly two weeks of attacks on Iran. The Guardian reported that perceived progress in technical discussions between Iran and Oman over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz contributed to the pause. China, Qatar and Pakistan were described as supporting those efforts.

Iran and Oman remain divided over Tehran’s demand for payments from ships using the strategic waterway. Oman has advocated a voluntary funding arrangement tied to environmental and safety services, modeled on cooperation in the Strait of Malacca, while Iran has proposed fees based on ship and cargo characteristics.

The status of shipping remains a central risk. The United Nations Office for Project Services said average daily transits through Hormuz had fallen to about five over the previous week, compared with nearly 130 before the conflict. Any renewed fighting or prolonged disruption could deepen the effects on energy markets and regional security.

Neither Washington’s description of intensive talks nor Tehran’s denial of negotiations could be independently reconciled on Monday. The public disagreement indicates that contacts, if occurring, may be indirect and mediated rather than formal bilateral negotiations.