Trump Halts Iran Negotiations as Tehran Denies Direct Talks

Washington has instructed its negotiating team to suspend contact with Iran, a US official confirmed on Tuesday, marking a sharp reversal in the administration's approach to the long-running standoff. The decision comes after what the official described as "positive discussions" with Tehran, yet President Donald Trump expressed frustration over Iran's unwillingness to meet his demands.

The negotiating team, which includes Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, has been told to stand down until Iranian leaders demonstrate a renewed commitment to reaching the deal Washington seeks.

Trump took to Truth Social on Tuesday to declare that "there are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with Iran." The statement contradicts his earlier assertions that negotiations were underway — claims that Iranian officials had consistently denied.

A source familiar with the matter indicated the White House is pivoting toward a strategy of "strangling" Iran over time, rather than pursuing further military strikes. The shift signals a potential de-escalation in the confrontation that has gripped the region.

On the Iranian side, a source close to the negotiations said no direct talks have occurred with the United States since Washington violated a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on June 18. That agreement was meant to end the conflict across all fronts, including Lebanon. The source added that Iran's discussions with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz are separate and unrelated to the United States.

The suspension comes as the 60-day negotiating period established under the MoU expired on Monday, leaving the future of any diplomatic track deeply uncertain. The two nations remain at odds over the Strait of Hormuz and the broader terms for ending hostilities, with no clear path forward.