WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday insisted that the United States was engaged in talks with Iran despite Tehran’s repeated denials, saying the two sides were “in fact, talking of a solution” to longstanding disputes and warning that any outcome would be either “a Deal, or Total Surrender.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the Iranian leadership of being “unbelievably duplicitous,” alleging that Tehran had sought meetings with Washington while publicly maintaining that no negotiations were taking place.
“Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused, for decades,” the US President wrote.
Trump also dismissed Iran’s assertion that it was only holding discussions with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, saying the strategic waterway was already under the control of the US Navy.
He claimed that “nothing gets through to Iran” unless the United States allowed it, adding that “nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished.”
The US president reiterated that Washington’s objective remained preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, declaring: “IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!”
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 3, 2026
Trump’s remarks came after he said on Sunday that the United States would resume negotiations with Iran on Monday following the cancellation of a planned large-scale military attack, adding that regional countries believed a diplomatic breakthrough was within reach.
Also Read: Trump Says New Iran Talks to Begin Monday After Calling Off Strikes
Iran, however, has continued to reject Trump’s claims. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that Tehran was not engaged in negotiations with the United States and that its current talks were only with Oman on securing passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
“We are not currently negotiating with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqaei said during a weekly press briefing.
Pakistan continues mediation efforts
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said that Pakistan continues to act as mediator between Iran and the United States. He said Qatar was also extending support whenever required during the negotiation process.
Pakistani and Qatari mediators are in contact with Washington and Tehran to finalise a date and venue for the resumption of direct US-Iran talks, Anadolu news agency reported, citing sources.
Islamabad and Doha are among the expected venues for the talks, according to the sources cited by Anadolu.
On Sunday, an Iranian lawmaker said that mediators are making fresh efforts to revive the Pakistan-brokered Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that halted the war between the US and Iran in June.
Pakistan and Qatar are mediating between the US and Iran to permanently end the Middle East conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission, said mediators were continuing efforts to revive the agreement, which was brokered by Pakistan and Qatar and signed following talks held in Islamabad.
“There is an effort underway to revive the 14-point Islamabad agreement, particularly by the mediators,” Ghashghavi said in a video interview.
“They know that the main issue and, in fact, the key to the matter right now is the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, so yes, there is an exchange of views,” he added.
Pakistan, Iran foreign ministers discuss developments
On Monday, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and discussed regional developments as mediators have intensified a diplomatic push to end the Middle East conflict.
“They exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the deteriorating situation in Occupied East Jerusalem,” the Foreign Office statement said on Monday.
Ishaq Dar, during the call, also invited Foreign Minister Araghchi to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke today with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.
They exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the deteriorating situation in Occupied East… pic.twitter.com/KHA2I5OctV
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 3, 2026
Islamabad MoU framework
The Islamabad MoU was brokered by Pakistan and Qatar following negotiations in Islamabad after months of military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Under the Islamabad MoU, the US and Iran committed to halt military operations, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and negotiate a comprehensive agreement covering Iran’s nuclear programme, US sanctions and a permanent ceasefire within 60 days.
Pakistan and Qatar subsequently co-mediated the first round of high-level negotiations in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21.
The talks were attended by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Pakistan’s mediation efforts
Pakistan has played a central mediating role between the United States and Iran since brokering a ceasefire on 8 April and hosting high-level talks between the two sides in Islamabad on 12 and 13 April.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged both countries to honour the Islamabad MoU and continue diplomatic engagement.
The first round of Pakistan- and Qatar-mediated negotiations under the agreement was later held in Lucerne, Switzerland, on 21 June.
The talks were attended by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Following the negotiations, Pakistan and Qatar announced significant progress in diplomatic efforts, while Washington eased certain sanctions on Tehran.
The latest diplomatic activity comes amid months of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
