President Donald Trump said Monday he is still pursuing a diplomatic resolution with Iran despite growing doubts over whether negotiations are actually taking place.
"I want to give them every last chance before decapitation," Trump told reporters Monday.
Trump added that he hopes Iran changes course because "they cannot have a nuclear weapon."
Iran's Foreign Ministry, however, said Tehran is not currently negotiating with the United States about reopening the Strait of Hormuz or ending the war, contradicting Trump's claim that talks were set to begin Monday.
The ministry said Iran is instead in contact with Oman to help ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that supports the global oil supply.
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The comments came one day after Trump called off additional U.S. strikes against Iran, saying negotiations would begin Monday.
Trump said the canceled operation would have been the largest U.S. military action in more than half a century.
"It was going to be a massive attack that would have been by far the biggest attack since World War II," Trump said. "But they have asked us not to do it — and their neighbors. So we are just going to see if we can make a deal."
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