Trump says talks with Iran being held; Tehran denies any planned

U.S. President Donald Trump said talks with Iran were underway and called it a 'last chance' for Tehran to sign a good deal to end the five-month-old war.

Iran denied that any negotiations were being held or planned; foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said no talks were scheduled and all Iranian negotiators were in the country.

Trump's comments came after he called off 'massive attacks' on Iran, repeating a pattern of threatening strikes then stepping back.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq and unavailable for talks, a senior Iranian source said.

Oil prices slid 5% following the contradictory statements about negotiations.