US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Iran, declaring that Tehran faces only two options, accept a negotiated agreement or face what he described as “complete surrender”, while accusing the Iranian leadership of sending contradictory signals over possible talks.
As the conflict entered its sixth month with no clear end in sight, Trump used his Truth Social platform to describe Iran’s leadership as “incredibly deceitful,” claiming it alternates between requesting negotiations and denying that any discussions are taking place.
“They beg for talks and then say they are not having any discussions,” Trump wrote, insisting that “nothing will pass to Iran unless an agreement is reached or complete surrender is achieved.”
The US president said Washington remained focused on resolving what he described as a long-running crisis caused by Iran, adding that the country would receive nothing “unless we want it to.”
Trump also dismissed Iranian assertions that it could control the Strait of Hormuz, saying the strategic waterway remains firmly under US oversight.
“They say they will control the Strait of Hormuz by force, while it is completely under American control,” he said, referring to the US maritime security operation as “America’s steel wall.”
Reaffirming a long-standing US position, Trump declared that Iran “will never possess a nuclear weapon.”
Despite the tough rhetoric, Trump revealed that he had suspended plans for major military strikes over the weekend to leave room for diplomacy.
He said any agreement would need to include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and measures to eliminate what he called the Iranian nuclear threat.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he believed Iran wanted to avoid further military action.
“They don’t want to be attacked,” he said. “Would it be better to make a deal? I am not looking to kill people.”
He added that negotiations with Iran were expected to begin on Monday afternoon but did not disclose where the talks would take place or who would participate.
However, Tehran swiftly rejected the claim.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said no negotiations with the United States were underway and that no meetings had been scheduled. He added that the only ongoing discussions involved Oman and focused on managing maritime issues in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had assisted more than 1,000 commercial vessels in safely transiting the Strait of Hormuz since early May.
Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported an explosion near an oil tanker northeast of Khasab, Oman, although no injuries or damage were reported.
Inside Iran, the Assembly of Experts urged government officials to remain fully committed to the guidance of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, arguing that placing trust in the United States or seeking an agreement with Washington would be futile.
The influential body described adherence to the supreme leader’s directives as both a legal obligation and the foundation of national unity.
The latest exchange of rhetoric underscores the widening gap between Washington and Tehran, with the United States signaling openness to diplomacy while maintaining the threat of military action, and Iran continuing to deny that direct negotiations are taking place.
