No talks are underway between Tehran and Washington, Iran says

Iran’s IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency said on Monday that there were no negotiations with the United States and that conditions in the Strait of Hormuz would not return to pre-war levels.

“No negotiations have taken place and none are underway,” a senior security official told Tasnim.

The official said Iran told intermediaries that it would continue defending itself “until the necessary level of deterrence is achieved.”

Trump had earlier said Washington and Tehran held “very good and productive conversations” and announced a five-day postponement of strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.

IRGC-affiliated Fars News said on Monday there had been “no direct or indirect contact” with US President Donald Trump, rejecting his remarks about constructive talks with Iran.

“There has been no direct or indirect contact with Trump,” Fars reported, citing an Iranian source.

The source added that Trump “backed down” after being warned Iran would target “all power plants in West Asia.”

Trump had earlier said Washington and Tehran held “very good and productive conversations” and ordered a five-day postponement of strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday expressed concern about the Iran war spreading to the Caspian Sea in a call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.

“Mutual concern was expressed about the dangerous spread of the conflict… to the Caspian Sea area,” Russia’s foreign ministry said.

Lavrov also warned that attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites, including Bushehr, pose “unacceptable risks” to Russian personnel and could have “catastrophic environmental consequences.”

Oil prices fell sharply on Monday after US President Donald Trump said he had held productive talks with Iran on resolving the conflict, raising hopes of de-escalation in the Middle East.

Brent crude dropped more than 11% before paring losses to trade about 7-8% lower later in the day, while earlier gains driven by fears of escalation reversed.

Trump said the two sides had held “very good and productive conversations” over the past two days and that further talks would continue through the week.

He added that he had instructed officials to postpone planned US strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days, depending on the outcome of the discussions.

The shift in sentiment lifted global markets. The FTSE 100 rebounded from earlier losses to trade higher, while US futures and Asian markets also moved into positive territory as investors bet on a potential easing of tensions.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan warned on Monday that the war involving Iran has “taken the entire global economy hostage.”

“Right now the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is, in a sense, an Asian crisis,” he said, adding the conflict has put energy supplies and economies at risk.

He also said the war was “not necessary” and raised concerns about its broader impact.