Trump Warns Iran Faces "Last Chance" as Talks Continue

U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran are continuing despite repeated denials from Tehran, warning that the Islamic Republic is facing what he described as its "last chance before decapitation."

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he agreed to continue diplomatic efforts at the request of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other regional partners.

Iran's Foreign Ministry again rejected claims that direct negotiations with Washington are taking place. Trump, however, insisted the talks are ongoing.

“We are talking right now,” he said. “This is a last chance for them to sign a good document. I want to give them every last chance before decapitation.”

According to Trump, the discussions are centered on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iran's nuclear program. He said an agreement on shipping through the strategic waterway could come “literally by tomorrow,” while denuclearization would likely take longer.

The United States and Iran have remained at war since February 28, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched surprise strikes against Iran. Although intermittent diplomatic contacts have produced periods of relative calm, the conflict has continued for more than five months.

Iran still possesses stockpiles of enriched uranium and retains the capability to launch missiles and drones against U.S. and allied targets in the region.

Adding to regional tensions, Britain's maritime security agency, UKMTO, reported early Tuesday that an unidentified cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz had been struck by an “unknown projectile.” Authorities are investigating the incident, although no details were immediately released about possible damage or casualties.

The latest exchange follows a familiar pattern in recent weeks. Trump threatened renewed military action against Iran's energy infrastructure last week before later saying that the outlines of a possible agreement were emerging.

Tehran continues to deny that negotiations with Washington are underway.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said his country's current talks are with Oman and concern arrangements for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

The waterway remains one of the central disputes between the two sides. Since the collapse of an earlier ceasefire, Iran has resumed blocking the strait, interfering with commercial shipping and firing on vessels attempting to pass.

Trump accused Tehran of sending contradictory messages.

“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,” he wrote on social media.

He also pointed to the U.S. counter-blockade of Iranian ports, adding that “nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished.”

Before the conflict, ships moved freely through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran now insists on maintaining control over the passage and collecting transit fees, a position rejected by Washington. Tehran has also refused to allow ships to use routes other than one running close to the Iranian coastline.

On Sunday, Baqaei said Iran and Oman were close to reaching an agreement on a new transit route through the strait that would satisfy both sides.

“We are now going to reach an understanding on a route acceptable to both sides, neither the northern route nor the southern route, but one that respects the sovereign rights of both sides and safeguards our national interests and security,” he said.

At the same time, he stressed that such an agreement would not automatically mean reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump reiterated that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons remains a key U.S. objective.

“The denuclearisation of Iran has to happen,” he said.

Western governments accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, while Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is intended solely for civilian purposes.

Speaking aboard Air Force One over the weekend, Trump also claimed Iran and several U.S. regional partners had urged him to refrain from launching what he described as “the biggest attack since World War II.” Iranian state media denied that Tehran had made any such request.