President Donald Trump said talks with Iran are expected to begin on Monday, with the initial focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran has denied that any direct negotiations with the White House are planned, saying it is only in discussions with Oman.
Trump also said Sunday that he decided against carrying out major strikes on Iran, following appeals from Gulf allies Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The conflicting statements have deepened uncertainty over the state of US-Iran diplomacy. The two sides have engaged in repeated U-turns and public posturing, and military tensions remain high, with no clear indication of when formal talks might actually take place.