US President Donald Trump confirmed on 4 August that diplomatic talks with Iran are 'going on right now,' framing the negotiations as a final opportunity for Tehran to reach an agreement — or face severe consequences. Speaking to reporters at the White House Oval Office, Trump said the discussions are taking place at Iran's request and are backed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

What Trump Said

'We're talking and we're talking at the request of Iran, backed by Saudi Arabia, backed by UAE and backed by Qatar in particular, but others also,' Trump told reporters. He was speaking after signing an executive order on military spouse benefits.

'This is a last chance for them to sign a good document,' Trump said, adding: 'I think we're going to maybe get something, but I want to give them every last chance before decapitation.'

On the question of progress, Trump told reporters: 'you find out today or tomorrow ... they're going to go quickly one way or the other.'

The Strait of Hormuz and Nuclear Demands

Trump outlined a two-phase framework for the negotiations. Phase one centres on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — the critical waterway through which a significant share of global oil supplies passes — which he said could happen 'literally by tomorrow, completely open.' Phase two would address Iran's nuclear programme. 'The denuclearization of Iran has to happen,' Trump said, acknowledging that 'that'll take a little while.'

Trump's Social Media Broadside Against Tehran

Earlier the same day, Trump posted on Truth Social accusing Iranian leadership of being 'unbelievably duplicitous.' He wrote that Iran had requested meetings, talks had begun with more scheduled, yet Tehran was publicly claiming no discussions were taking place and that it was 'only dealing with Oman.' The post marked a sharp escalation in tone even as diplomacy reportedly continued behind the scenes.

Iran's Contradicting Position

The Iranian side offered a starkly different account. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in Tehran on Monday that Iran is currently not engaged in any negotiations with the United States. Baghaei acknowledged that talks with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz are underway, but stopped short of confirming any direct US-Iran channel. The contradiction between Washington's and Tehran's public statements underscores the fragile and opaque nature of the diplomatic process.

What Happens Next

Trump's framing — 'last chance' and a reference to 'decapitation' — signals that Washington is operating on a compressed timeline. The outcome of the Strait of Hormuz discussions, which Trump suggested could resolve within a day, will likely set the tone for whether broader nuclear talks gain traction. Global energy markets and regional Gulf states, which are reportedly backing the process, will be watching closely.