Trump says Iran talks start Monday as US revives diplomacy over Hormuz

US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday afternoon but declined to set a deadline for reaching an agreement, signalling a renewed push for diplomacy after shelving plans for an imminent military strike.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday as he returned to Washington from New Jersey, Trump said he preferred a negotiated settlement over further conflict but did not disclose where the talks would take place or who would participate.

"I'd rather make a deal. I'm not looking to kill people because people die, a lot of people die, and we don't want that," Trump said when asked whether Iran faced a deadline to reach an agreement.

The comments came a day after Trump said on Truth Social that Iran and several Middle Eastern countries had requested more time to complete a deal that would ensure the "immediate, complete and total" reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and end what he described as Iran's nuclear threat. He urged Tehran to "rapidly make a DEAL."

DIPLOMACY TAKES CENTRE STAGE

Trump's latest remarks marked another shift in his approach after repeatedly threatening to escalate the conflict with Iran while continuing to leave room for negotiations. Previous rounds of diplomacy have failed to produce a comprehensive agreement.

The US administration says its objective remains preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran continues to deny.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ REMAINS KEY FOCUS

The Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes, remains at the centre of the crisis. Iran has largely restricted traffic through the strategic waterway during the conflict, pushing up global energy prices and fuelling inflation concerns.

Oil prices, however, fell more than 4 per cent in early trading on Monday as hopes for renewed diplomacy eased fears of further disruption.

IRAN STEPS UP DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held separate phone calls with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir to discuss diplomatic efforts, according to Iranian state media.

IRNA also reported that negotiations between Iran and Oman over issues related to the Strait of Hormuz were in their final stages. However, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the discussions concerned a proposed new shipping route and were unrelated to any decision on reopening or closing the strait.

ISRAEL VOWS TO ACT IF IRAN ADVANCES NUCLEAR PROGRAMME

Israel said it would continue to act against Iran's nuclear and missile programmes regardless of the outcome of diplomatic efforts.

Energy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, said Israel maintained close security and intelligence coordination with the US. He warned that Israel would strike if Iran attempted to revive its nuclear programme or expand its ballistic missile capabilities.

Trump and Netanyahu met in Washington last week, where they discussed diplomatic, economic and military options to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran has consistently denied that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

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