Trump Sets Monday Talks With Iran Amid Crisis
United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday as he seeks a rapid agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address concerns over Tehran’s nuclear activities.
The announcement follows his decision to pause planned military strikes after appeals from Gulf allies, including a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump indicated that regional partners preferred diplomacy over further attacks, citing the unpredictable consequences of escalation in a conflict now entering its sixth month.
Iranian officials reported progress on a separate understanding with Oman regarding a new shipping route through the strategic waterway. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated that the sides were close to an arrangement that respects the sovereign rights of both nations while protecting national interests and security. He emphasised, however, that any such agreement would not restore the strait to the conditions that existed before the war began on 28 February.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the talks with Oman as having reached their final stages, although further details remained limited. The development comes against a backdrop of continued tension, including a reported explosion near a tanker on Sunday that left the vessel and crew unharmed. Shipping data showed reduced traffic through the strait, underscoring the ongoing disruption to a route that previously carried a substantial share of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
Trump declined to reveal the location of Monday’s meeting or the identities of those taking part, and he refused to set a firm deadline for an outcome. He has repeatedly threatened intensified action while also allowing additional time for diplomacy, a pattern that has marked the latest phase of the conflict. Oil markets responded to the prospect of talks with a decline in prices at the start of Asian trading.
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen stressed that his country maintains close coordination with the United States and will act independently if Iran attempts to revive its nuclear programme or expand ballistic missile capabilities. As diplomatic efforts advance on multiple tracks, the international community watches closely to determine whether the coming discussions can ease tensions and restore stability to one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
