Iran has rejected Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran asked him to delay further military strikes, with state-affiliated media describing the allegations as false.

Iran’s Mehr news agency on Sunday denied the US President’s claim. Citing military officials, the agency said the allegation was “nothing but a new lie” and that the Iranian armed forced were “on high alert and ready for any eventuality”.

Mr Trump made the comments on Saturday local time, saying the Unites States was “ready to go against the Islamic republic” but that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had requested he postpone new attacks.

He said he had agreed to do so, provided a deal could be reached with Iran.

“This would include the Immediate, Complete and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Meanwhile, negotiations between Iran and Oman over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are in their final phase, Iran says, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefing cabinet members at the start of their Sunday session, state news agency IRNA reports.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei meanwhile stressed that the situation in the disputed strait will not return to its pre-war status, according to broadcaster Press TV.

Iran was acting in its own interests and would not change its decisions based on threats or intimidation, Mr Baghaei said.

However, an agreement with Oman on a new shipping route did not mean the Strait of Hormuz would be opened or closed, the spokesman said, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

The United States and Iran agreed on a framework deal in mid-June.

Under the agreement, Iran is to reach an accord with Oman, in co-ordination with the strait’s other coastal states, on the future management of the waterway.

No details of what a possible agreement could entail were available on Sunday.

The dispute over transit rights through a key route for oil, gas and fertiliser is considered one of the main triggers for the recent escalation in the military conflict between the US and Iran.

with DPA