Iran Tensions Escalate as Trump Warns of Last Chance Before Decapitation
US President Donald Trump warned Iran it faces its "last chance" to reach an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or risk "decapitation," while claiming negotiations are underway despite Iran's denial that any direct talks with Washington are occurring. Iran tensions have intensified as these conflicting statements emerged from both sides.
Trump Issues Last-Chance Warning to Iran
President Trump stated he canceled a planned massive attack on Iran over the weekend at the request of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran itself, saying he wants to give Iran every last chance before decapitation. [1] [2] He told journalists in the Oval Office on Monday that he would give them every last chance before decapitation. [1] Trump added that many countries called and all wanted to give this a last chance, describing it as the last chance. [1] He further claimed that negotiations with Tehran are going on right now and that talks are taking place at the request of Iran, backed by Saudi Arabia, backed by UAE and backed by Qatar in particular. [2] Trump said an agreement on the strait could open literally within tomorrow and that talks will find out today or tomorrow. [1] He reiterated that Iran must never have nuclear weapons. [1]
Iran Denies Direct Negotiations With US
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran currently has no negotiations with the US and is only holding talks with Oman about a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. [1] [2] Baghaei stated that to avoid any ambiguity it should be clarified who the negotiations are with, noting that Iran currently has no negotiations with America and that the negotiations are with Oman. [1] He clarified that the talks with Oman concern only a temporary route for ships through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. [1]
Background on the Five-Month US-Iran War
The war between the US and Iran has raged since the end of February. [1] The conflict between the US and Iran has been going on for several decades, marked by political and military tensions. [1] In 2026 the situation escalated after the US and Israel carried out attacks on Iran, which led to Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, an important sea route for global oil trade. [1] The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea route between Oman and Iran that connects the Persian Gulf with the open sea and is one of the world's most important transport routes for oil. [1] The US has carried out military attacks and introduced economic sanctions against Iran while there have been attempts at diplomatic solutions including cease-fires and negotiations to reduce tensions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. [1] Iran has responded by blocking the Strait of Hormuz and carrying out attacks on American interests in the region. [1]
Trump Cancels Planned Attack After Allies' Appeals
Trump reacted by calling the Iranian leadership "incredibly fake" on Truth Social and reiterated that Iran must never have nuclear weapons, while claiming an agreement on the strait could open literally within tomorrow. [1] He said that if the US had carried out the weekend's attack it would have left very little, and that if he gets the opportunity to let many people live he wants to give them that opportunity. [1] Trump had earlier said negotiations would begin again on Monday after he suspended plans for a threatened round of heavy bombing over the weekend. [2] He threatened that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports will continue until an agreement or total surrender is achieved. [1]
Oil Prices Drop as Trump Predicts Quick Hormuz Deal
Oil prices fell sharply, with Brent crude dropping more than 4 percent, after Trump's comments about resuming peace talks. [1] Trump claims that the Strait of Hormuz can be opened literally within tomorrow and that the next phase will be denuclearization of Iran. [1] Oil prices fell sharply on Monday after Trump said peace talks would resume. [1] Brent oil fell more than 4 percent. [1] At the same time Trump rages against American oil companies such as Chevron and ExxonMobil which he believes earn too much money on the war. [1] President Donald Trump on Monday said ExxonMobil and Chevron made outsized profits during the U.S.-Iran war and should return some of those gains to Americans by lowering gasoline prices. [4]
Public Opinion and Ongoing Tensions
According to a recent CNN poll 67 percent of Americans believe that Trump's war against Iran has harmed the US. [1] The Strait of Hormuz remains a central artery for the world's oil exports. [1]
What to watch next: Trump expects a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz soon while Iran continues talks only with Oman on a temporary route.
