President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the U.S. and Iran will resume negotiations on Monday afternoon. The decision follows Trump’s order to call off planned military strikes to allow for a potential deal regarding Tehran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The shift toward diplomacy comes after days of escalating threats and a widening conflict that has spread from the Gulf to the Red Sea and into Egypt. While the U.S. president characterized the canceled operations as the biggest attack since World War II
, he noted that the military remains ready to strike anytime we want
.
The Terms of the Proposed Deal and Gulf Intervention
Trump stated that he paused the imminent attacks after requests from Iran and key regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. According to the president, these nations urged him to pursue talks because they believe there is a deal within reach.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump specified that the objective is to secure the Immediate, Complete and Total
reopening of the strait and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat
. He emphasized that while he is not looking to kill people
, Tehran must rapidly make a DEAL
.
Oman Negotiations and the Strait of Hormuz Impasse
A critical component of the current tension is the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that previously carried around 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. Since the war began on February 28, Iran has largely closed the strait, driving up energy prices and fueling global inflation.
Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, report that negotiations with Oman are in their final stages to establish a new shipping route. However, this diplomatic track appears distinct from the broader U.S.-Iran deal.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei clarified that a potential understanding with Oman regarding a route that respects sovereign rights has no link to the Strait of Hormuz being opened or closed
, describing that as a separate discussion
. Baghaei further insisted that any such agreement would not return the strait to the status it held before the war started.
The friction stems from a disputed interpretation of a mid-June agreement. While the U.S. and other nations maintain Iran should have no say in the crossings, Tehran insists on controlling the strait and intends to charge a toll.
Market Reactions and Security Risks
Global energy markets reacted sharply to the signals of de-escalation. On Monday, Brent crude fell around 4%.
The economic pressure on the administration has grown as the conflict expands.
- Human Cost: At least 18 U.S. service members have been killed in the war, with more than 600 wounded.
Despite the pause in strikes, the environment remains volatile. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported a tanker explosion nearby on Sunday. While the crew was reported safe, the incident underscores the precarious nature of the waterway.
Israel’s Position and the Nuclear Deadline
While the U.S. pursues a diplomatic window, Israel remains committed to a hard line on Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.
“With or without an agreement, and regardless of any external commitments, if Iran attempts to renew its nuclear program or advance its ballistic missile industries, we will be there. We will take action, and we will strike.”
Eli Cohen, Israel’s energy minister
The U.S. president has notably declined to set a specific deadline for Iran to reach an agreement. The outcome of Monday’s talks will determine if a deal can translate into a functional end to the naval blockade and the nuclear impasse.
Related reading
