Trump blasts Iran 'duplicity' as Tehran denies talks
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- Trump accused Iran's leadership of 'duplicity' in a Truth Social post, claiming they privately seek meetings while publicly denying talks, and warned nothing would reach Iran without a 'Deal, or Total Surrender'
- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei rejected Trump's claim of scheduled Monday talks, saying no negotiations were planned and the only discussions involve Oman on Strait of Hormuz management
- The June US-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict collapsed in early July, with Iran maintaining it preserved its authority over shipping in the Strait
- Trump launched 'Operation Epic Fury' alongside Israel more than five months ago, with each US escalation met by Iranian retaliation targeting American forces, Gulf allies, or commercial shipping before tensions temporarily eased
- Iran's negotiators remain inside the country except Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq and unavailable until at least week's end, per a senior Iranian source
Why it matters: Five months into 'Operation Epic Fury,' Trump has failed to achieve his stated goals of dismantling Iran's nuclear program, curbing its regional threat, or driving political change — even as a June diplomatic memorandum collapsed and Iran retains significant leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy corridors.
