Trump denounces Iran as duplicitous, asserts US control over Strait of Hormuz

President Trump criticized Iran's leadership for perceived duplicity regarding negotiations with the United States. He asserted US Navy control over the Strait of Hormuz, warning of restrictions. Iran's foreign ministry denied any direct or indirect talks with Washington. Trump reiterated the US stance that Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons.

US President Donald Trump on Monday lambasted Iran amid a rapidly evolving situation in West Asia, terming the Iranian leadership "duplicitous", saying that while Tehran seeks negotiations with Washington, it publicly denies that any direct talks were taking place. He warned that "nothing will get through" unless a deal or "total surrender" is achieved.

Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social, which came after Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei earlier on Monday said that his country is not engaged in any direct or indirect negotiations with the United States, firmly dismissing assertions of active bilateral dialogue between Tehran and Washington.

"Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous! They ask for a meeting, some would say "beg," talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they're not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they're only dealing with "Oman", Trump said on Truth Social.

He reaffirmed his claim of the US Navy's control to remain in place in the Strait of Hormuz.

Dismissing Iranian assertions regarding control over one of the world's most strategically significant maritime chokepoints through which a substantial share of global oil shipments transit, he further claimed that "nothing gets through to Iran" unless Washington permits it, warning that restrictions would remain in place until "a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished."

"They then go on to give their usual blather in saying, the Strait of Hormuz will be operated powerfully by them, when it is already completely controlled by the United States Navy and our "Blockade" or, as some say, "The United States Wall of Steel!" Nothing gets through to Iran unless we want it to, and nothing will get through unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished," Trump said.

The latest tirade by Trump comes as Baqaei said on Monday that an understanding reached between Iran and Oman on a new maritime traffic route through the Strait of Hormuz is merely a technical prerequisite to regulate safe vessel passage and does not signal the reopening of the strategic waterway.

In his post on Truth Social, Trump also reiterated Washington's stance of Iran to never acquire nuclear weapons and said, "Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused, for decades. It is very simple, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!"

The sharp remarks come shortly after Trump had stated that negotiations with Iran, expected to take place through intermediaries, are scheduled to commence on Monday.