Iran's chief negotiator has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of staging "theater diplomacy," as Washington and Tehran offer conflicting accounts of bilateral engagement aimed at ending their monthslong hostilities.
"Massive attack coming … wait, never mind, they want to negotiate. That's theater diplomacy on loop," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and top negotiator, wrote in a post on X.
The remarks came days after Trump called off planned strikes and said the outlines of a deal had already been settled with Tehran. Iranian officials have rejected the claim, saying no talks were underway.
The conflict is meanwhile broadening across the region, with Gulf energy infrastructure and key shipping choke points under renewed threat.
Saudi Arabia is bracing for "multiple coordinated attacks" by Iraqi militia factions working with Iran-backed Houthis.
A deal is anticipated between Iran and Oman for managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, but U.S. and Israeli ships would be barred.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has sharply declined in recent days, with only two vessels transiting.
Additionally, Iran plans to impose penalties of up to 20% of the cargo value for violations of the terms.
