Iran on Monday denied that it is holding negotiations with the United States, saying its current talks are instead with Oman on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, after President Donald Trump said he paused U.S. strikes against Iran to give space for negotiations.
The comments by Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, made at an Aug. 3 press conference in Tehran, came after Trump said the United States would begin negotiations with Iran on Monday, following his agreement to pause what he described as a planned military strike at levels not seen since World War II.
“Would I rather make a deal? I’m not looking to kill people,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Aug. 2, adding that he decided to hold off on the “massive attack” after being asked by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to wait and give diplomacy another chance….