President Trump said the U.S. paused strikes on Iran at Tehran's request but warned of renewed "strong military action" if talks fail. U.S. officials say the halt came three days after 13 consecutive nights of bombing, yet Iran denies direct negotiations with Washington. Oman says it is mediating discussions with Iran and several Gulf states over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Mixed messages from U.S. and Iranian officials leave the diplomatic outlook uncertain.
Trump Says U.S. Paused Strikes at Iran's Request; Warns of 'Strong Military Action' if Talks Fail
President Donald Trump speaks Friday in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. On Monday, Trump said he paused attacks on Iran for negotiations, but Iran says no new negotiations with the United States are taking place. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
July 27 (UPI) — President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States suspended attacks on Iran at the request of Iranian leaders, while warning he would order "strong military action" if diplomatic efforts do not succeed.
The pause came three days after U.S. forces carried out 13 consecutive nights of bombing, according to administration officials. Still, accounts differed Monday about whether direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran are underway.
Conflicting Messages
Iran's Foreign Ministry told CNN there were no new direct negotiations with the United States, though Tehran is engaged in discussions with Oman about security and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
What Trump Said
In an interview with Axios, Trump said, "We are in very deep talks with Iran. If they don't work out, we will go back to very strong military action." He added he was unwilling to allow prolonged diplomacy: "Either it goes fast or not at all." Later, aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters, "They want to meet, and we're meeting. Without what we did, they wouldn't even be talking to us... The only reason they want to meet is because we've been hitting them very hard." At a campaign rally in Michigan he characterized the discussions as "very friendly negotiations."
Oman's Mediation
Oman's Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi has been speaking with counterparts from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt as part of a regional diplomatic push. According to Axios, Al-Busaidi said the talks focused on "ways to enhance the prospects for reaching practical, fair and sustainable arrangements for maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."
Tehran's Position
Esmaeil Baghaei, a spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, told The Guardian that Tehran "would never allow the United States to determine the timing of war and peace." He said mediators may relay messages from the American side, "but at present we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States." Baghaei described talks with Oman as "useful and constructive," while stressing they were not negotiations with Washington.
The situation remains fluid: the U.S. signals readiness to resume forceful action if diplomacy fails, while Iranian officials deny direct talks with Washington. Oman's engagement with multiple Gulf states underscores regional concern about maritime security in the vital Strait of Hormuz.
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