DUBAI — US President Donald Trump said on Monday he was open to holding talks with Iran, after saying for weeks it was too early to make a deal with Tehran to end the war.”The failing nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly. I will determine whether or not the U.S.A. will choose to engage — The concept of which we are open to,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.This comes despite the president’s recent comments casting doubt on Iran’s trustworthiness and suggesting a deal wouldn’t hold any value.On Sunday, Trump said he would only make a deal with Iran if it is the “right deal,” but offered no other details about what this would look like.Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said that it won’t negotiate with the United States “until Iran’s conditions are met,” according to a statement published by Iranian state media.”The equations regarding oil and the Straits have changed,” the statement continued.Trump’s latest comments came after Gulf Arab states postponed a planned meeting with Iran.Oman had been due to host a meeting on Monday with Iran and Gulf states to discuss negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping lane that has been largely closed since the US and Israel attacked Iran at the end of February.But Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi announced overnight that the meeting had been postponed.Iran meanwhile published a list of 77 ships it said had violated its operating protocols in the strait and warned they could face fines, detention or confiscation on future transits.US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Monday the average number of ships crossing the strait covertly with US support was increasing. But independent monitors have suggested oil flows could have dropped off this month since fighting intensified again after a quiet August.DUBAI — US President Donald Trump said on Monday he was open to holding talks with Iran, after saying for weeks it was too early to make a deal with Tehran to end the war.”The failing nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly. I will determine whether or not the U.S.A. will choose to engage — The concept of which we are open to,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.This comes despite the president’s recent comments casting doubt on Iran’s trustworthiness and suggesting a deal wouldn’t hold any value.On Sunday, Trump said he would only make a deal with Iran if it is the “right deal,” but offered no other details about what this would look like.Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said that it won’t negotiate with the United States “until Iran’s conditions are met,” according to a statement published by Iranian state media.”The equations regarding oil and the Straits have changed,” the statement continued.Trump’s latest comments came after Gulf Arab states postponed a planned meeting with Iran.Oman had been due to host a meeting on Monday with Iran and Gulf states to discuss negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping lane that has been largely closed since the US and Israel attacked Iran at the end of February.But Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi announced overnight that the meeting had been postponed.Iran meanwhile published a list of 77 ships it said had violated its operating protocols in the strait and warned they could face fines, detention or confiscation on future transits.US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Monday the average number of ships crossing the strait covertly with US support was increasing. But independent monitors have suggested oil flows could have dropped off this month since fighting intensified again after a quiet August.
