Status of US-Iran talks uncertain as ship struck in Hormuz

The status of talks between the US and Iran is uncertain, with conflicting signals from both sides. US President Donald Trump said talks were underway on Monday, warning that it was Iran's "last chance" to sign a good deal, but Iran denied that negotiations were being held or planned. According to Channel News Asia, Trump said the talks were taking place at the request of several countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said no negotiations with the US were taking place and no meetings were scheduled, as reported by multiple outlets, including MyJoyOnline Ghana and Live Mint. This denial comes after Trump announced that he was holding off on new attacks on Iran pending ongoing talks to end their war and settle claims over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The uncertainty has impacted oil prices, which rebounded 1% on Tuesday after dropping 7% in the previous session, according to MyJoyOnline Ghana. The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that connects Gulf oil producers to global markets, remains a point of contention, with Iran's senior military adviser, Mohsen Rezaee, saying that Tehran will not permit any shipping route through the waterway other than the one designated by the Islamic Republic, as per Live Mint.

Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, Channel News Asia, MyJoyOnline Ghana, France 24, Live Mint — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.