Trump's Claim of New Iran Talks Met with Denial: A New Chapter in US-Iran Relations?

In a surprising turn of events, Iran has denied US President Donald Trump's claim that new talks to end the conflict between the two nations will begin on Monday. The denial comes after Trump announced on board Air Force One that he had called off what he described as 'massive' strikes on Iran, citing the potential for a negotiated end to the war. According to Trump, Iran was aware of the planned attack and had seen it 'forming', leading to a request from Tehran and US allies in the Middle East to 'hold off' on the strikes. However, Iran's foreign ministry has since denied that any negotiations are taking place, stating instead that they are engaged in talks with Oman to ensure the security of shipping passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The move has sparked a drop in global oil prices, with Brent Crude oil down 4.5% and US-traded oil down 4.6%. The conflict, which began on February 28, has led to disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which 20% of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas flows. Trump's announcement has been met with skepticism, with some experts questioning the validity of his claims. The US president has a history of issuing apocalyptic warnings to Tehran, only to later insist that diplomacy is being given a chance. The situation remains uncertain, with the US and Iran engaged in a delicate dance of diplomacy and military posturing.