Trump said Wednesday that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz could reopen “by tomorrow,” expressing optimism that negotiations to restore shipping through the critical waterway were nearing completion.
“We’re having very good discussions,” Trump told reporters, suggesting an agreement was close after months of conflict that has disrupted one of the world’s busiest oil transit routes. The president has repeatedly predicted that a deal to reopen the strait is imminent.
But Tehran quickly contradicted the president’s claims, insisting there are no direct negotiations with Washington.
Iranian officials said they are not engaged in talks with the United States and are instead working only with neighboring Oman on technical issues involving maritime traffic. The Iranian government dismissed Trump’s assertions that discussions with Washington are underway, continuing a pattern of sharply conflicting public statements from the two sides.
Trump responded angrily on social media, accusing Iran’s leaders of being “unbelievably duplicitous.”
In a post, the president wrote that Iran had requested meetings and that talks had already begun, only for Iranian officials to publicly deny any discussions.
“Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous!” Trump wrote, adding that while they privately sought meetings, they were publicly claiming to be dealing only with Oman.
“The main reason for the delay in reaching an agreement with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz is US interference and Trump’s threats,” the Iranian news agency Tasnim cited “an informed source” as saying on Wednesday.
The exchange highlights the continuing uncertainty surrounding efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supply normally passes. Although reports indicate Iran and Oman have made progress on a draft framework, significant issues—including shipping routes, inspection procedures, and transit fees—remain unresolved, and any final agreement would still require approval from Iran’s leadership.
For now, Trump’s prediction that the strait could reopen within a day remains unconfirmed, with Iranian officials continuing to deny that they are negotiating directly with the United States.