US President Donald Trump has warned that the latest round of talks with Iran is the “last chance” to end the five-month conflict.
Trump claimed the talks were being held at the request of Iran and several Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar.
However, Iran has continued to deny the claims. Tehran has insisted that no direct talks with the US are taking place and there are no plans to hold them in the near future.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country would continue to defend its border sovereignty, but had no intention of escalating the ongoing conflict.
Iran Remains Firm
Trump also accused the Iranian leadership of not being transparent about peace efforts and reiterated that the chances of reaching a negotiated solution were becoming slim.
However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei once again denied the existence of direct talks with Washington.
He explained that Iran is currently only involved in discussions with Oman regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil Markets Still Uncertain
This development comes after Trump called off a major attack plan against Iran to make room for diplomatic efforts.
The decision had previously helped ease market concerns and caused oil prices to fall.
However, oil prices rose again as investors began to doubt the possibility of a diplomatic solution being reached in the near future.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures rose 1.29% to US$81.38 per barrel, while Brent crude oil rose 1.73% to US$85.23 per barrel.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz Continue
In a separate development, US authorities announced that 44 commercial vessels had been diverted as part of an ongoing blockade operation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The operation also involved the immobilization of two ships and the boarding of two more.
At the same time, pro-militant Iraqi media reported an explosion in Kuwait which was also heard in the Basrah region, reflecting that tensions in the Middle East region have not yet subsided.
