Iran has refuted claims that it is on the brink of finalizing a significant agreement with the United States, citing unresolved key issues despite some progress in negotiations. According to Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, while there has been mutual understanding on various aspects, it is premature to declare that a final deal is near completion. He attributed the delay to conflicting messages from Washington and interference from Israel, which have complicated the negotiation process.
A principal subject of the discussions is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. Iran has clarified its stance, stating it does not intend to impose tolls on vessels; however, it may levy charges for navigational and environmental protection services, collaborating with Oman in this regard. Another critical demand from Iran is the inclusion of a ceasefire in Lebanon and the lifting of restrictions on its ports and shipping activities as part of any agreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has acknowledged that discussions are ongoing, describing the current proposal as substantial. The proposed framework reportedly includes a 30-day period following a ceasefire, during which Iran would be expected to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz, thereby restoring full maritime access. Concurrently, the US military confirmed it had conducted strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and boats allegedly preparing to lay mines, actions Washington defended as self-defense while supporting ceasefire negotiations.
President Donald Trump emphasized that any final agreement must be “great and meaningful,” otherwise, there would be no deal at all. He also encouraged several Middle Eastern nations to join the Abraham Accords and establish normalized relations with Israel, although this initiative has reportedly met with limited interest from regional leaders. Meanwhile, Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium remains a contentious issue. Tehran has expressed readiness to temporarily reduce enrichment levels but has rejected demands to transfer its uranium stockpile abroad. Additionally, Iran is seeking access to billions of dollars in frozen assets held overseas.
Iranian officials have pointed to internal political divisions in the US, including criticism from Congress and factions within the Republican Party, as factors exerting pressure on the White House and further complicating the negotiation process. Notably, the current proposal does not address Iran’s ballistic missile program or its support for regional armed groups, making the agreement less comprehensive than previous US expectations.