U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Iran's leadership as "incredibly duplicitous." Trump had earlier said there would be an agreement with Iran on the Strait of Hormuz and a denuclearization deal and that talks with Iran would begin, but he returned to criticism.
On the 3rd (local time), Trump wrote on his social media (SNS) Truth Social, "They (Iran's leadership) publicly and proudly say they are not holding any talks with the United States, that nothing is being discussed, and that they are dealing only with Oman," adding this.
Trump said, "They (Iran's leadership) request talks. Some would even say they are begging for them," adding, "Negotiations are beginning, and additional talks are scheduled in the near future." Earlier that afternoon, Trump had signaled that talks with Iran would begin.
However, Esmail Baghaei, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, said there would be "no negotiations with the United States at this stage, and we will watch how the situation develops and proceed at the next stage." Baghaei said, "Iran is focusing negotiations on an agreement to guarantee safe passage for ships transiting Oman and the Strait of Hormuz."
Trump said, "Whether Iran is willing to acknowledge it or not, we are in fact discussing solutions to problems they have caused for decades," adding, "The result is very simple. Iran will never have a nuclear weapon."
He went on, "They (Iran's leadership) spout the same old gibberish and say they will run the Strait of Hormuz with strength," adding, "That strait is already fully controlled by the U.S. Navy and by our blockade, or what some call America's iron wall." He continued, "Nothing will enter Iran unless we allow it