Trump says Iran negotiating to reopen Strait of Hormuz amid cargo ship attack

President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran are discussing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as early as Tuesday, despite Tehran’s denial that any talks are taking place. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters that Iran has no negotiations with the United States and is only discussing a temporary safe route with Oman.

The dispute coincided with an incident on Monday night when a cargo vessel near Oman’s coast was struck by an unidentified projectile, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre. The ship, a dry-bulk carrier, was abandoned by its crew and one seafarer was reported missing.

Brent crude rose 2.7% on Tuesday, reflecting market uncertainty as traffic through the strait remains far below peacetime levels. In peacetime about 100 ships pass daily; on Monday only six vessels were recorded, most using the Iranian-controlled route south of Larak Island.

"They ask for a meeting, some would say ‘beg,’" Trump wrote on his social platform, adding that talks are “going on right now.”

"We currently do not have negotiations with America," Baghaei said.

Trump said the first phase of discussions would aim to fully open the strait by the next day, with a second phase focusing on Iran’s nuclear program. The United States has halted planned strikes on Iran to allow the negotiations to proceed.