Trump warns Tehran has 'last chance' before 'decapitation'

US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that Iran has a 'last chance' to reach an agreement before facing 'decapitation'. He said Washington and Tehran had already begun fresh talks, contradicting earlier denials from Iran's Foreign Ministry.

According to Trump, the negotiations are being held at Iran's request, with support from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar in particular. He described the moment as a final opportunity for Tehran to sign a good document. The president said the talks cover two phases: first, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which he said could happen 'literally by tomorrow', and second, discussions on Iran's nuclear programme. He stressed that 'denuclearisation of Iran has to happen'.

The Strait of Hormuz has been a major sticking point in recent diplomatic efforts. Tehran effectively shut the waterway, which carries roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade, after US and Israeli strikes in late February, sending energy markets into turmoil. A tentative agreement was reached in June with a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the strait, but tit-for-tat strikes soon resumed.

On Saturday, Trump announced he had called off a large-scale planned attack on Iran at the request of Tehran and several Middle Eastern countries, saying the 'perimeters of a deal' had been agreed. The Iranian military reportedly dismissed that claim as a 'new lie' intended to blackmail Persian Gulf rulers.

Esmail Baghaei, a spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said on Monday that there were 'no negotiations' with the US, although talks with Oman were ongoing to ensure safe passage for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.