Iran Denies Trump's Strait of Hormuz Deal as US Embassies Warn Citizens

On Monday, August 3, 2026, the Iranian government officially denied claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that an agreement had been reached to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz. During a televised press briefing in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei contradicted the U.S. President's recent statements regarding diplomatic progress. "We are not currently negotiating with the United States," Baqaei stated. "Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz". The denial followed a weekend announcement by President Trump, who stated he had cancelled a planned military strike on Iran. Trump described the aborted operation as "the biggest attack since World War II," which would have targeted Iranian energy infrastructure. According to Trump, the strike was halted after Iran and other Middle Eastern nations requested time to finalize a deal that would result in the "immediate, complete, and total" reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. Iranian state media rejected these claims. The semi-official Fars news agency quoted military sources confirming that no agreement exists to reopen the waterway. The sources stated the maritime corridor will remain blocked as long as U.S. "hostile actions" continue, warning that any vessels attempting to navigate unapproved routes without prior authorization from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy could face "incidents". The diplomatic breakdown occurs amid heightened military readiness. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi communicated to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan that Iranian forces remain equipped to counter any U.S. or Israeli offensive with a "decisive and proportionate response". In anticipation of potential conflict, U.S. embassies across the Middle East—including missions in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—issued widespread securi