Trump claims Iran talks are underway as Tehran denies it

Middle East ConflictTrump hails talks with Iran as cargo ship struck in Strait of HormuzThe international oil benchmark Brent crude rose again to 2.7% with traffic through the crucial waterway at a trickle compared to its peacetime flow.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleTrump gives Iran ‘last chance’ to make deal before U.S. ‘decapitation’ strikes01:32Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleAug. 4, 2026, 7:11 AM EDTBy Alexander Smith and Matthew MulliganPresident Donald Trump accused Iran of duplicity and insisted the two sides were discussing reopening the Strait of Hormuz as early as Tuesday, even as Tehran denied talks were even taking place.The diplomatic confusion was underscored by an attack on a cargo vessel near the Strait’s Oman Coast, as reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center, an organization run by the British navy that helps protect commercial shipping in high-risk areas.With traffic through the bottleneck still at a trickle of its peacetime flow, the international oil benchmark Brent crude rose again by 2.7% Tuesday, reflecting uncertainty in the market rather than any confidence in the diplomatic process.A woman waves an Iranian flag as a banner with a portrait of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hangs in behind her in Tehran Tuesday.Vahid Salemi / APOn Monday, Trump branded Iran “unbelievably duplicitous,” and accused them of asking for talks on ending the war only to announce no discussions would be held.“They ask for a meeting, some would say ‘beg,’” he wrote on Truth Social. “Talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they’re only dealing with ‘Oman.’”In response to Trump’s claims of talks, Iran’s Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters, “We currently do not have negotiations with America.” Iran is in discuss...