Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

Washington, Aug 5: US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would face a "very hard" response if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened soon, while claiming that Washington is engaged in "very good discussions" with Tehran. Iran, however, has denied that any negotiations are taking place with the United States.

In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday (US local time), Trump said Iran would be "hit very hard" if the strategically important waterway was not reopened "very soon".

Earlier, speaking at the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said he had given Iran a "last chance before decapitation" and claimed discussions were underway to reopen the Strait of Hormuz "literally by tomorrow".

"They're going to go quickly, one way or the other. It's not very complex," Trump said, adding that talks were focused on reopening the vital shipping route.

Iran, however, rejected the US President's claims.

"We are not holding any negotiations with the United States at present," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said during a press briefing in Tehran. He added that, except for Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is on a pilgrimage to Iraq, all members of Iran's negotiating team were in the country.

Responding on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the Iranian leadership of being "unbelievably duplicitous", alleging that Tehran had sought talks privately while publicly denying any discussions.

Baqaei said Iran was instead holding consultations with Oman on measures to ensure maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, the discussions relate to a temporary arrangement for safe navigation through the strategic waterway. He said no other country was involved in the Muscat-Tehran consultations.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor through which around one-fifth of the world's fossil fuel supplies pass, has remained under uncertainty following recent disruptions to shipping in the region.

Trump also claimed Iran had been rattled by reports of a planned military strike and was seeking talks on reopening the Strait. He further referred to a Memorandum of Understanding on reopening the waterway, signed with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on June 17, alleging that the arrangement later collapsed after renewed hostilities in the Strait.