Status of US-Iran talks uncertain as ship struck in Hormuz

Conflicting signals from the US and Iran over the status of talks to end their five-month war boosted uncertainty Tuesday, with a fresh attack on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz highlighting risks to global energy flows. Trump said talks were "going on right now" at the request of Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, calling it a "last chance" for Tehran to sign a deal, but Iran's spokesman said all its negotiators were home and the only ongoing talks were with Oman over Hormuz management. One cargo vessel broadcast it had been hit by an unknown projectile near the strait off Oman's coast, per UKMTO, with Hormuz traffic still running well below normal. Trump also called Iran's leadership "unbelievably duplicitous" and repeated that the US Navy has total control of the strait, while Washington and Tehran remain at odds over whether the June memorandum required Iran to fully reopen the waterway.