U.S. President Donald Trump stated that an all-day negotiation took place on Tuesday with Iran. While he characterized the talks positively, he threatened to hit Iran really hard if a deal is not reached. These comments have fueled expectations of an imminent end to the five-month conflict, although the president did not elaborate on the specifics of the discussions.
Tehran has denied that it is in talks with Washington, despite the claims made by President Trump. Instead, Iranian officials insist they are close to a deal with Oman to open the Strait of Hormuz, which could pave the way for peace talks with the United States.
Analysts suggest that the gap between the assertions of the two nations reflects competing political pressures. While Trump maintains that negotiations are underway, Tehran continues to deny direct discussions with Washington.