Iran Rules Out Request for US Talks, Says Strait of Hormuz Situation Unchanged

DUBAI: Iran has said it has not requested the resumption of talks with the United States, insisting that no direct negotiations are currently taking place despite ongoing mediation efforts.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Tehran had not sought renewed dialogue with Washington.

“It’s not in our DNA,” Baghaei said, adding that Iran currently has no direct talks with the United States.

Baghaei also said the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remained unchanged, noting that the strategic waterway remains closed. However, he described recent discussions between Iran and Oman on the management of the strait as positive.

He said Iran would not allow the United States to dictate the terms for ending the conflict and alleged that some Gulf countries had participated in Washington’s military campaign against Iran, though he did not identify any countries or provide further details.

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The remarks came as European financial markets rallied after a weekend pause in US-Iran hostilities improved investor sentiment.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.8% to 649.34 points in early trading, reflecting renewed confidence among investors.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran would halt attacks if the United States also refrained from military action after Washington paused its bombing campaign amid concerns over depleting its weapons stockpiles.

Meanwhile, Brent crude oil prices fell by around 6% to approximately $90 per barrel, weighing on energy shares, which declined by 2%. Utilities were the only other sector to post losses as investors also prepared for a key week of earnings reports from major US technology companies.