Trump accuses Iranian leadership of deceit, warns nothing passes Hormuz without deal

US President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on Iran's leadership on Monday, describing them as "incredibly deceitful" in a post coinciding with the scheduled start of negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

In his post, Trump said: "They ask for a meeting — some say they are begging — talks begin with more rounds scheduled soon, then they publicly and proudly claim they are not holding any discussions and are only dealing with Oman."

He mocked Tehran's statements about the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran repeats its "usual empty talk" about controlling the waterway, while in his words, "the strait is completely under the control of the US Navy and our blockade, or as some call it: America's steel wall." He added: "Nothing reaches Iran unless we allow it, and nothing will pass unless a deal is made or there is complete surrender."

He concluded by saying that Washington is discussing "a solution to a problem Iran has caused for decades," stressing in capital letters: "Iran will never have a nuclear weapon."

The post comes after Trump announced that negotiations with Iran would begin Monday afternoon, following his cancellation of strikes he described as the largest since World War II, at the request of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei stated there are no immediate plans to negotiate with Washington, and that Tehran is currently only in talks with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations with Muscat over the strait are in their "final stages."