President Donald Trump called off a massive military operation against Iran over the weekend to pursue a two-phase diplomatic deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and denuclearize Tehran. While Trump claims negotiations are underway, Iran denies direct talks with the U.S., stating it is negotiating exclusively with Oman for a temporary shipping route.
The tension in the Persian Gulf reached a breaking point this weekend as President Donald Trump described a planned U.S. military campaign as potentially the biggest attack since World War II. However, the President pivoted to diplomacy on Sunday, announcing that he had halted the strikes to give a last chance for Iran to sign a document that would resolve the impasse over the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.
The decision to hold fire followed urgent requests from Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he consulted with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, asking the prince if he would prefer the attacks proceed or not. According to the President, the allies believe a deal is possible, which prompted the shift from negotiations beginning Monday afternoon.
The Oman Route and Tehran’s Denial of U.S. Talks
Despite the White House’s optimism, Tehran is firmly rejecting the narrative of direct engagement with Washington. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters that Iran is not currently negotiating with the United States.
Instead, Iran is focused on a bilateral understanding with Oman. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi indicated that negotiations with Muscat are in their final stages. The goal is to establish a new route that ensures the safe passage of shipping through the strait—one that respects the sovereign rights of both sides without returning to previous unrestricted arrangements. Baghaei emphasized that these talks with Oman have no link to the Strait of Hormuz being opened or closed, characterizing that as a separate discussion.
The discrepancy in accounts is stark. While Trump claims the “perimeters” of a deal are established, Iranian media, including the Mehr news agency, has dismissed these claims as nothing but a new lie
. Senior military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mohsen Rezaee, further tightened the stance on Monday, stating that Tehran will not permit any shipping route other than the one designated by the Islamic Republic.
Trump’s Two-Phase Plan and the Threat of Decapitation
Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump outlined a rigid sequence for peace. Phase one is the immediate and complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which he hoped would occur literally by Tuesday. Phase two would then pivot to the denuclearization of Iran.
Donald Trump, President of the United States, stated that he wants to give them every last chance before decapitation.
This threat of “decapitation”—targeting Iranian leadership rather than energy infrastructure—marks a shift in the conflict’s military strategy. The President noted that such a move is very very tough
to execute but remains a planned option if diplomacy fails. This follows a pattern throughout the war, which began on February 28, where Trump has repeatedly threatened devastating strikes only to extend deadlines or pause bombing campaigns as mediators attempt to revive frameworks, such as the 14-point Islamabad agreement from June.
Global Energy Markets and the Hormuz Chokepoint
The strategic importance of the waterway is reflected in the immediate volatility of oil prices. West Texas Intermediate slipped to around $80 a barrel.
The stakes for the global economy are immense, as roughly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passes through the strait. The impact of Iran’s control over the waterway has been severe, with ships requiring Iranian permission and following designated lanes.
| Oil Benchmark | Price Movement (Monday) |
|---|---|
| Brent Crude | Sank to $82.41 (down >6%) |
| WTI | Slipped to around $80 |
Israeli Coordination and Regional Security
While the U.S. pursues a diplomatic window, Israel remains vigilant. Energy Minister Eli Cohen confirmed close security and intelligence coordination with the U.S. on regional events. However, Cohen maintained a hard line regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stating that regardless of any agreement, Israel will take action and strike if Iran attempts to renew its nuclear program or advance its ballistic missile industries.
This regional instability is punctuated by ongoing maritime incidents. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an explosion in close proximity to a tanker off the coast of Oman, approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab. A separate report indicated another cargo vessel was hit by an unknown projectile in the same general area.
As the deadline for Trump’s last chanceexpires, the world watches to see if the Omani-mediated route can provide a face-saving exit for Tehran or if the U.S. will proceed with thedecapitation strikes it claims are still planned.
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