Trump Claims Iran Negotiations Underway Despite Tehran's Denials, Calls Talks 'Last Chance' for Deal

May 24, 2026

President Donald Trump claims that critical peace negotiations with Iran are underway, calling them Tehran's "last chance" to avoid devastating military strikes. However, Iranian officials flatly deny holding direct talks with Washington, stating they are only negotiating with Oman over a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's decision to halt a massive planned attack followed intense diplomatic pressure from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Gulf allies, who warned of severe global economic fallout. The diplomatic impasse comes amid rising domestic political pressure on Trump, with polls showing only a third of Americans support the ongoing five-month war.

Trump Iran negotiations announcement

▪U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that negotiations with Iran are underway to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address Iran's nuclear program.
▪Iran is negotiating with Oman to reach an understanding over a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
▪Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denied that Iran is holding direct negotiations with the United States.

Threatened strikes repeatedly canceled

▪U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened major military strikes against Iran during the conflict only to subsequently back off.
▪U.S. President Donald Trump stated he canceled a massive planned military strike against Iran to allow time for peace negotiations.

Saudi diplomatic intervention

▪Saudi officials warned the Trump administration that an escalation could severely impact the global economy if Iran targeted Gulf allies in response.
▪Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged U.S. President Donald Trump to hold off on military strikes in favor of pursuing a deal.

Republican midterm election concerns

▪U.S. Senator John Kennedy acknowledged that escalating the conflict with Iran could lead to a surge in energy prices and inflation.
▪A Reuters/Ipsos poll released in late July 2026 found that only one-third of Americans support the conflict with Iran.
▪An AP-NORC poll found that about two-thirds of U.S. adults, including 37% of Republicans, believe the war with Iran has not been worthwhile.

U.S. military impact on Iran

▪A military adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Mohsen Rezaei, warned that American vessels and forces will face serious casualties if the naval blockade continues.
▪Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stated that Iran has rebuilt its military assets, including its missile program.