Trump Claims Iran Talks; Tehran Denies

PHOTO CAPTION: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport before departing Los Angeles for Las Vegas, Nevada, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 4, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 — President Donald Trump said the United States held an “all-day negotiation” with Iran on Tuesday, describing the discussions positively while threatening further military action if an agreement was not reached.

“They had an all-day negotiation,” Trump told Fox News’ “@ Night” program.

“We are having very good discussions,” he added.

Trump did not provide details about who participated in the negotiations or what terms were discussed.

Iran has denied Trump’s assertion that talks with the United States were underway.

Qatar said Tuesday that mediators were making progress in efforts to end the war, with Qatar, Pakistan and Oman working to facilitate contact between Washington and Tehran.

Trump predicts Hormuz reopening

Trump said the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for Middle Eastern energy exports, would reopen soon.

He warned that Iran would face additional strikes if an agreement failed.

“If they back out again, they are going to get hit really hard,” Trump said.

Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz after the war began, disrupting a waterway that carries a significant share of global energy supplies.

The conflict started Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel attacked Iran. Tehran responded with strikes against Israel and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military bases.

U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks on Lebanon have since killed thousands of people and displaced millions.

Threats draw legal criticism

Rights experts have criticized Trump’s rhetoric during the war, including threats to attack Iranian civilian infrastructure and an April threat to destroy Iran’s civilization.

Iran has warned that if the United States carries out such threats, its forces would strike regional energy and economic facilities.

The 1949 Geneva Conventions prohibit attacks on sites considered essential to civilian survival.

International law experts in the United States said in April that carrying out attacks of the kind Trump had threatened could amount to war crimes.

(Source: Reuters)