Trump says Iran facing 'last chance before decapitation'

Washington (United States) (AFP) – US President Donald Trump said Monday that negotiations with Iran were ongoing despite Tehran's denials and the Islamic Republic was facing a "last chance before decapitation."

Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said he agreed to continue to pursue talks with Iran at the request of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other countries.

Iran's foreign ministry denied on Monday that negotiations with Washington were taking place, but Trump insisted they were. "We are talking right now," he said.

"This is a last chance for them to sign a good document," the US president added. "I want to give them every last chance before decapitation."

The talks are focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump said could come "literally by tomorrow," and the denuclearization of Iran, which he said could "take a little while."

Washington and Tehran have been at war since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched surprise strikes against Iran, though months of on-and-off diplomacy have led to periods of relative calm.

More than five months later, Iran remains able to fire missiles and drones at US and allied targets in the region and retains its enriched uranium stockpiles.

In what has become a familiar pattern, Trump last week had threatened to hit Iran "very hard" -- potentially with renewed attacks against energy infrastructure -- only to pull back on Saturday, saying the "perimeters" of a deal were there.

Iran, for its part, said it is not currently negotiating with the United States.

"Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the critical oil corridor, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said.

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