Tensions in the Gulf region intensified after Donald Trump announced that the United States had held talks with Iran and that the two sides had reached what he described as “major points of agreement.” However, Iranian officials quickly denied that any negotiations were taking place, creating confusion about the diplomatic situation.

Speaking to reporters, the U.S. president said the discussions had been “very good and productive,” but he declined to provide details about who participated in the talks or where they occurred. The claim was immediately rejected by officials in Iran, who insisted that no negotiations with United States representatives had taken place.

The conflicting statements come as Washington and Tehran face a dangerous escalation over the security of the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.

According to the White House, President Trump has postponed potential U.S. military strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days to allow time for diplomacy to succeed. The delay follows a previous warning by Trump that the United States could “obliterate” Iranian power plants if Iran failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Monday.

Iran responded with its own stark warning, stating that any U.S. attack on its energy facilities would trigger the mining of the entire Persian Gulf, a move that could disrupt global shipping and energy supplies.

The growing standoff has alarmed international observers. The head of the International Energy Agency warned that the ongoing blockage of the Strait of Hormuz represents a “major threat” to the global economy, emphasizing that prolonged disruption could severely affect energy markets and international trade.