MUSCAT : U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran have held talks aimed at a “complete and total resolution of hostilities” in the Middle East, announcing a temporary pause in planned military strikes, even as Tehran denied any such negotiations had taken place.

Trump said he had decided to delay threatened strikes on Iranian power plants for five days following what he described as “productive” discussions, a move that immediately eased market concerns and pushed oil and gas prices lower.

However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected the claim, saying no direct talks had occurred, according to reports cited by U.S. media, adding to confusion over whether any diplomatic channel is currently active.

The U.S. president later said Washington’s side in the talks was represented by envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner. He suggested that further restraint would depend on Iran’s response during the five-day window.

“If this goes well, we’re going to end up settling this,” Trump said. “Otherwise, we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”

The remarks mark a notable shift in tone from Trump’s earlier warning over the weekend, when he gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil transit route—or face severe military action, including threats to “obliterate” Iranian power infrastructure.

Market reaction and regional stakes

Energy markets reacted swiftly to the perceived easing of tensions, with oil prices dropping as traders weighed the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough that could stabilise supply flows through the Gulf.

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the crisis, with any disruption posing significant risks to global energy markets and regional economies, particularly in the Gulf.

Uncertainty persists

Despite Trump’s conciliatory tone, major questions remain over the credibility and scope of the reported talks. Iran’s denial raises doubts about whether backchannel negotiations are taking place or whether Washington is attempting to signal openness to diplomacy amid rising international pressure.

Analysts say the five-day pause could be a critical window to de-escalate tensions—but warn that the absence of confirmed dialogue increases the risk of miscalculation.

The situation remains fluid, with the next steps likely to determine whether the region moves toward a negotiated settlement or a renewed cycle of escalation.

For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.