New Delhi, July 28 -- TEHRAN - Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman delivered a pointed rebuke to Washington on Sunday, making clear that any ceasefire timeline in the Gulf would be set by Tehran or not at all, even as both governments maintained contact through mediators in Doha and Islamabad.

"We will not allow the United States to determine the timing of war and peace," Mohammad Baghaei told reporters. The statement came less than two hours after President Trump described what he called "deep talks" with the Iranian government, suggesting the two sides were sharing at least one back-channel corridor.

Brent crude fell from a two-month high within an hour of Baghaei's statement. The Strait of Hormuz, still closed to commercial traffic, co...