Tehran has officially denied that it is engaged in direct peace negotiations with the United States, contradicting recent claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding renewed talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The dispute comes amid escalating tensions and a recent pause in planned U.S. military strikes on Iran.

Since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched surprise attacks against Iranian targets, the conflict has persisted with intermittent diplomatic efforts resulting in occasional calm. Last week, President Trump threatened significant military action against Iran, including strikes on the country's energy infrastructure, but ultimately decided to delay such operations. He described the aborted offensive as potentially "the biggest attack since World War II" and stated that a peace deal was close, focusing primarily on the management of the Strait of Hormuz and the denuclearization of Iran.

Iranian Foreign Ministry officials, however, have rejected assertions of direct talks. Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei clarified that Iran is not negotiating with Washington but is instead in discussions with Oman to establish a temporary safe passage route through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital waterway for global oil shipments. The route would not be the traditional northern or southern passage but a corridor that respects the sovereignty and security interests of both sides. Baghaei emphasized that while an understanding on a passage is forthcoming, this does not equate to reopening the Strait as it was before hostilities began.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a critical point of contention. Prior to the war, more than 100 vessels regularly transited the strait daily; however, the number dropped dramatically to eight on a recent Sunday amid increased Iranian restrictions and attacks. Reports have detailed ongoing attacks on oil shipping in the Red Sea, an alternate route, marking the worst threat environment to crude trade since the conflict started. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported an explosion near a tanker off Oman’s coast, although the crew and vessel were unharmed.

Trump said that talks would begin on August 3, although details about the location or participants were not disclosed. He also indicated that the delay in military action came at the request of Iran and regional U.S. partners, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Iranian authorities, however, denied Tehran had requested a strike postponement.

Iranian lawmakers expressed that mediators are reviewing a memorandum of understanding established in June, which was intended as a preliminary step toward a broader peace agreement. This memorandum contains provisions related to the Strait of Hormuz but does not resolve all issues. Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for Iran’s parliamentary national security commission, noted that the main sticking point remains control and access to the Strait.

Iranian President Masoud Rezekshian urged vigilance in ensuring that any agreements reached are honored by the opposing side. Meanwhile, the Pentagon revealed that U.S. casualties from the conflict are higher than previously reported, with a recent update adding 142 wounded personnel to the total, now reaching 624 since the war’s inception. The diplomatic and military situation remains fluid as both sides navigate a complex and protracted conflict.