Washington and Tehran are giving sharply different accounts of whether the two countries are in talks, a contradiction that analysts say reflects competing political pressures in both capitals. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran are underway. Tehran immediately pushed back, saying its discussions concern only the Strait of Hormuz and are being held with Oman, not with the United States. The strait is a vital shipping lane through which a large share of the world's oil passes. The conflicting statements highlight the difficulty of reading Iran's intentions, as its leadership balances domestic hardliners against the country's economic troubles. Trump has repeatedly sought negotiations with Iran, while Iranian officials have publicly ruled out direct talks with Washington under the current pressure campaign. The latest exchange suggests that while some channel of communication may exist, neither side is willing to acknowledge it in public. Analysts say the gap between the two versions is the product of each government trying to satisfy its own political audience, leaving the actual state of any potential talks unclear. For now, the only thing both sides appear to agree on is that something is being discussed with Oman about the Strait of Hormuz, even as they disagree on whether that amounts to talks with the United States.