West Asia LIVE: Trump says new talks 'last chance' for Iran to forge deal, avoid escalation of U.S. strikes

Home News World Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied that negotiations with Washington were taking place, but Donald Trump insisted they were; "We are talking right now," he said. Updated - August 04, 2026 07:00 am IST U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday, August 3, 2026, that negotiations with Iran were ongoing despite Tehran's denials and the Islamic Republic was facing a "last chance before decapitation." | Photo Credit: Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday (August 3, 2026) that negotiations with Iran were ongoing despite Tehran’s denials and the Islamic Republic was facing a “last chance before decapitation.” Mr. Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said he agreed to continue to pursue talks with Iran at the request of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other countries.Also read | Iran denies negotiating with U.S. after Trump announces talksMr. Trump said he expects negotiations will focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and create a pathway for Iran to address the United States’ concerns about its nuclear programme. He told reporters they would likely learn about the status of the negotiations “today or tomorrow”.Also read | What’s at stake in the latest U.S.-Iran talks?Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied on Monday (August 3) that negotiations with Washington were taking place, but Mr. Trump insisted they were. “We are talking right now,” he said. “Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” the critical oil corridor, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said.Follow here for live updates,August 04, 2026 07:00 Oil ticks up after selloff as talks to end U.S.-Iran war remain uncertainOil prices rebounded slightly on Tuesday (August 4), after ‌plunging in the previous session, on concerns that supply remains at risk as a diplomatic resolution to the U.S.-Iran war that has ⁠disrupted shipments still seems unlikely.Front-month Brent futures rose $0.62, or 0.7%, to $84.39 a barrel as of 0055 GMT after dropping 7% in the previous session to a three-week low.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) ‌crude was $0.61, or 0.7% higher at $80.95 after falling over 5% in the previous session to its lowest in nearly a week.- ReutersAugust 04, 2026 06:58 Cargo vessel hit by 'unknown projectile' in Hormuz strait: maritime agency A cargo vessel was struck by an “unknown projectile” in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, a British maritime agency said on Tuesday (August 4), without giving specifics on damage or injuries.The vessel, which has not been named, reported being “hit by an unknown projectile” and authorities were investigating, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said, adding the incident occurred 20 nautical miles (37 kilometres) northeast of Al Khasab, Oman.- AFPAugust 04, 2026 06:51 Trump says Iran facing 'last chance before decapitation'U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday (August 3) that negotiations with Iran were ongoing despite Tehran’s denials and the Islamic Republic was facing a “last chance before decapitation.”Mr. Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said he agreed to continue to pursue talks with Iran at the request of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other countries.Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied on Monday (August 3) that negotiations with Washington were taking place, but Mr. Trump insisted they were. “We are talking right now,” he said.- AFP Published - August 04, 2026 06:49 am IST