BS BULLETIN
- President Trump says U.S.-Iran negotiations are set to begin Monday after he says he called off what he described as a massive military strike in favor of diplomacy. Iran, however, disputes Trump’s account and says no direct U.S. talks are currently underway.
- Trump says a deal is “imminent” and insists it would permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz while ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon. Tehran says its current discussions are with Oman over maritime issues—not direct negotiations with Washington.
- The Middle East could be on the verge of either a major diplomatic breakthrough—or another dangerous escalation.
TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL IS WITHIN REACH AFTER CALLING OFF MASSIVE STRIKE
.@POTUS on whether there’s a deadline for negotiations with Iran: “We’ll just see how it is. We’re ready to go any time we want. Would I rather make a deal? I’m not looking to kill people… We don’t want that.” https://t.co/GbiegUbLuo pic.twitter.com/lAUc1dDWnU
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 2, 2026
President Donald Trump says he came within hours of launching what he described as the largest military assault since World War II.
Instead, he says he chose diplomacy. Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump announced that negotiations with Iran would begin Monday and predicted a peace agreement was close at hand.
“I’m not looking to kill people, because people die,” Trump said. “A lot of people die. And we don’t want that.”
Trump said he had been prepared to order a massive military operation before deciding to pause it after appeals from Iran and several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
“I would love to do that and save a lot of lives,” Trump said of reaching a negotiated settlement.
According to the president, any agreement would accomplish two goals he has repeatedly described as non-negotiable: reopening the Strait of Hormuz to normal commercial shipping and permanently preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The announcement marks another dramatic turn in a conflict that has swung repeatedly between military escalation and diplomacy over the past several months.
Just days ago, Trump warned the United States was prepared to intensify attacks if negotiations failed. He has repeatedly argued that military pressure is what brought Iran back toward the bargaining table.
But Iran is publicly disputing Trump’s version of events.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday there are no current direct negotiations with the United States. Instead, Tehran says it is holding discussions with neighboring Oman regarding temporary shipping arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran also rejected Trump’s suggestion that it asked Washington to halt military operations, insisting that no such request was made.
The conflicting accounts have left observers trying to determine whether quiet back-channel diplomacy is occurring behind the scenes or whether both governments are managing public expectations differently.
Despite the disagreement, financial markets reacted positively to Trump’s comments. Oil prices dropped after investors interpreted the president’s remarks as reducing the likelihood of an immediate military confrontation in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the negotiations. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil passes through the narrow waterway, making any disruption a major concern for global energy markets. Since fighting intensified earlier this summer, commercial shipping has slowed dramatically amid attacks on vessels and continuing security threats.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Mediaite: ‘I’m Not Looking to Kill People’: Trump Declares Iran Peace Deal Is ‘Imminent’
- Associated Press: Trump says talks on Iran war will begin Monday after he holds off on “massive” strikes.
- Reuters: Iran says no talks are under way with United States after Trump calls off attacks.
- Reuters: Iran says no current talks with U.S. as Oman discussions continue over the Strait of Hormuz.
- Axios: Trump says he’s ready for strong military action if Iran talks fail.
- The Wall Street Journal: Trump says U.S. and Iran will meet to negotiate after days of strikes.
