Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Trump Says US 'Semi-Negotiating' With Iran as Hormuz Talks Stall
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, said his country is taking a calm approach to Iran right now.
He said the US is only partly talking to Iran, not holding full negotiations.
Trump thinks Iran is struggling because prices are rising very fast and the country has little money.
He even said Iran may not have enough money to pay its soldiers.
The US has a naval blockade, a ring of ships that stops goods from coming in, which is making things harder for Iran.
Because of this, talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a very important water route for oil ships, have stalled for now.
Iran wants the US to remove the blockade and move its soldiers away before talks can continue.
Trump said the situation is 'like a chess game' and he believes it will work out.
At the same time, the US military has asked companies that make weapons to speed up and make more.
Iran's foreign minister says Iran is not talking directly to the US, only sending messages through other countries, so the two sides disagree on what is happening.
Trump said the US is 'low-keying it' with Iran and only 'semi-negotiating,' with no fresh military offensive planned.
Trump claimed Iran has huge inflation, no money, and cannot pay its troops, with the US naval blockade worsening its economic woes.
Negotiations among Iran, Oman, and the US over reopening the Strait of Hormuz remain stalled, with Tehran demanding the blockade be lifted and US forces pulled back.
The US Defence Department gave contractors up to 21 days to submit plans for faster, increased weapons production amid shortages of critical munitions.
Iran denies any direct negotiations with Washington, exchanging only messages through intermediaries, contradicting Trump's claims of 'very good discussions' with Iran.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and US Deputy Defence Secretary Steve Feinberg
- What
- Trump says the US is only 'semi-negotiating' with Iran as the naval blockade tightens and talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz remain stalled
- When
- Sunday, when Trump made his remarks; negotiations have been pending for several days
- Where
- Washington and the Strait of Hormuz, involving the US, Iran, and Oman
- Why
- Tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a route for 20 per cent of the world's fossil fuels, and Iran's worsening economic situation under the US naval blockade
US Position
Iranian Position
Negotiation Status
US Position
Trump says the US is 'semi-negotiating' with Iran and has been 'having very good discussions.'
Iranian Position
Araghchi says no negotiations are underway; Iran only exchanges messages through intermediaries, and talks can resume only if the US ends violations of the recently signed memorandum of understanding.
Military and Economic Pressure
US Position
Trump says the US is 'low-keying it,' with no fresh military offensive planned, though the naval blockade continues and he has warned Iran will be 'hit very hard' if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened 'very soon.'
Iranian Position
Tehran says talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz can only advance if the US lifts its naval blockade and pulls back American forces stationed near Iran.
Reopening Timeline
US Position
Trump said talks to open the Strait could happen 'literally by tomorrow' and that the issue is 'not very complex,' describing the situation as 'like a chess game' that 'will work out.'
Iranian Position
Iran denies any talks with Washington are happening, saying the US-Iran-Oman agreement has been 'pending for a few days now' and that it is only close to a deal with Oman on a temporary maritime route.
- US stance
- 'Low-key' approach with Iran; 'semi-negotiating'; no fresh military offensive planned
- Negotiation status
- Talks among Iran, Oman, and the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz stalled; agreement pending for days
- Iran's conditions
- Lift the US naval blockade and pull back American forces stationed near Iran
- Strait of Hormuz
- Gateway for 20 per cent of the world's fossil fuels
- Oil prices
- Slightly above USD 75 per barrel
- Weapons production
- Contractors have up to 21 days to submit faster, increased production plans
- Key officials
- Deputy Defence Secretary Steve Feinberg; Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
- Iran-US communication
- Iran denies direct negotiations; says only messages through intermediaries
