Trump Announces Nuclear, Hormuz Talks as U.S. Officials Deny New Negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump set a specific deadline for the start of negotiations with Iran—Monday afternoon—but no meeting, venue, or delegation was announced. American officials confirmed no new round of talks is planned, and Iranian authorities denied entering into negotiations with Washington.

Trump had stated that discussions would commence after noon on Monday and that an agreement concerning the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program was “imminent.” He cited his decision to withdraw from carrying out what he described as the largest military strike since World War II as a turning point preceding those talks.

What U.S. officials told CBS News

According to U.S. officials speaking to CBS News, there are no “new” or “emerging” negotiations underway. They clarified that current interactions consist solely of preexisting indirect communications between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Iranian officials—conducted exclusively through intermediaries.

From announced launch to continued backchanneling

What Trump publicly declared as the formal commencement of negotiations at a fixed time has, in practice, reverted to the continuation of longstanding, uninterrupted backchannel lines. These channels involve no face-to-face meetings, no newly scheduled rounds, and no agreed-upon agenda.

Trump’s response to Iran’s denial

In reaction to Tehran’s public denial of negotiations, Trump accused Iran’s leadership of “unbelievable evasion,” asserting that Iranian officials had not only requested the meeting but had “pleaded” for talks before later stating they were holding no discussions with the United States.

On his platform Truth Social, Trump wrote: “They asked for a meeting, the talks began, and more are scheduled in the near future—then they publicly say they’re having no discussions and are dealing only with Oman.”

He added: “Nothing will reach Iran unless we permit it, and nothing will pass without either an agreement or total surrender,” reiterating Washington’s position that it will not allow Tehran to acquire a nuclear weapon.