US President Donald Trump has stated that talks with Iran will begin on Monday, 3 August. He did not specify the venue, the participants or a deadline for reaching an agreement. Washington is linking a possible deal to the full restoration of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the resolution of the dispute over Tehran\u2019s nuclear capabilities.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n On the start of negotiations Donald Trump<\/strong> told journalists on board Air Force One<\/a>, whilst returning to Washington after a weekend in New Jersey. On Saturday, he wrote on Truth Social that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked for time to finalise the deal.<\/p>\n The president had previously stated that he had called off an imminent strike in the hope of reaching an agreement quickly. When asked about a deadline, he said he would prefer to reach an agreement rather than kill people: \u00abPeople are dying, a great many people are dying, and we do not want that.\u00bb.<\/p>\n Trump has on several occasions threatened<\/a> to intensify the war against Iran, which the US had launched alongside Israel at the end of February, whilst at the same time allowing more time for diplomacy. Previous talks had not led to a comprehensive agreement.<\/p>\n Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Abbas Araghchi<\/strong> held telephone conversations with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan<\/strong> and Chief of the Pakistani Army Asim Munir<\/strong>, according to Iranian state media. IRNA had previously reported that talks between Tehran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz were in their final stages.<\/p>\n Spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Esmail Baghai<\/strong> stated that these negotiations<\/a> are focusing on agreeing a new route through the strait. According to him, this is a separate issue from whether the strait is opened or closed. Last month, Tehran publicly rejected an Omani proposal backed by the Gulf states; it involved voluntary payments for the use of the route.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s Energy Minister Eli Cohen has stated that Israel and the US are coordinating closely on security and intelligence matters. He added that Israel would strike if Iran attempted to resume its nuclear programme or develop its ballistic missile industry. Tehran denies that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n\n
Washington is seeking an agreement with no set deadline<\/h2>\n
Iran is discussing diplomatic contacts, whilst Israel maintains a hardline stance<\/h2>\n
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key factor for the energy market<\/h2>\n