WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump announced Monday that Iran had requested a meeting after fighting resumed over the weekend, with both Washington and Tehran accusing the other of violating the ceasefire. But Iranian officials disputed Trump’s claim, saying no talks had been scheduled.
Trump said the meeting would take place Tuesday in Doha, Qatar. A U.S. official told The Hill that both sides had agreed to “stand down for now” and allow commercial vessels to move freely through the Strait of Hormuz while technical negotiations continue.
“Technical talks are slated to continue on all areas of the MOU. Both sides will stand down for now and vessels can move freely,” the official said, referring to the memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month.
However, senior Iranian negotiator Kazem Gharibabadi said reports that technical talks would be held in Doha were “not confirmed,” though he said consultations with Qatar were continuing.
The diplomatic uncertainty comes after fighting resumed Friday when Trump called an Iranian drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire.
U.S. Central Command confirmed it carried out retaliatory strikes on Iranian targets.
“The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire. Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor,” the military said.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, carrying roughly one-fifth of globally traded oil and natural gas.
Iran quickly rejected the accusation.
Ebrahim Azizi, who heads Iran’s parliament’s national security commission, said the “failed” U.S. president had shown “he has no commitment to the principles of negotiation or a ceasefire.”
“This reckless violation of the ceasefire will, as always, lead to retreat and regret on their part,” Azizi wrote on X. “The blame game does not work anymore.”
Tensions escalated further Saturday when Trump threatened Iran’s existence, saying “it is very possible that they will never learn!”
“There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”
Iran responded Sunday by launching strikes against Kuwait and Bahrain, alleging the United States had violated the ceasefire.
Tehran has also maintained that it must be the sole authority governing the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that position Sunday.
“Any attempt to establish new or separate arrangements from those currently being carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran will only lead to further complications, delay the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and increase the level of tension,” Araghchi said.
Under the memorandum of understanding, the two sides have 60 days to reach a broader agreement. Pakistan, which has been mediating alongside Qatar, has said talks are expected to resume Tuesday.