Trump Says Iran Has “Last Chance” for Deal

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Iran are holding talks to end the conflict and said Tehran has one last chance to accept an agreement.

However, Iran's Foreign Ministry rejected the claim, saying no negotiations with the US are taking place and that no foreign trips by Iranian negotiators are planned in the coming days.

Naval activity in the Persian Gulf has further heightened tensions. Iran has largely blocked transit through the Strait of Hormuz since imposing a blockade during the war, disrupting one of the world's most important shipping routes, through which around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally pass.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that a cargo ship was struck by an unknown projectile near the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman.

Although shipping traffic remains well below normal levels, financial markets reacted positively to Trump's remarks, with stock markets rising and oil prices falling on hopes that the crisis could ease.

Analysts say Iran is using pressure on energy exports and maritime trade routes to increase the cost of further confrontation and encourage a diplomatic settlement.

(Reuters, mja)