Iran has refuted claims that it is on the brink of finalizing a significant agreement with the United States, citing lingering unresolved issues despite strides made in negotiations. Esmail Baghaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, acknowledged that there is mutual understanding on numerous points. However, he emphasized that it would be premature to declare a final deal imminent. Baghaei attributed the delays to conflicting statements emerging from Washington and external interference, particularly from Israel.
The negotiations have primarily centered around reopening the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping. While Iran has clarified that it does not intend to impose tolls on passing ships, it may levy charges for navigational and environmental protection services in collaboration with Oman. Additionally, Iran has asserted that any potential agreement should encompass a ceasefire in Lebanon and the removal of restrictions on its ports and shipping activities.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has characterized the ongoing discussions as significant, noting that the proposed framework includes a 30-day period following a ceasefire. During this time, Iran would be expected to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines and restore full maritime access. Concurrently, the US military has confirmed conducting strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and boats allegedly preparing to deploy mines. These actions, described by Washington as self-defense, are happening alongside continued support for ceasefire initiatives.
President Donald Trump has stated that the final agreement would either be “great and meaningful” or there would be no deal at all. He has also called on several Middle Eastern nations to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, though regional leaders have reportedly shown little interest in this proposal. Meanwhile, Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium remains a contentious issue. While Tehran has expressed a willingness to temporarily reduce enrichment levels, it has rejected demands to transfer its uranium stockpile abroad, also seeking the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets held overseas.
Iranian officials have pointed out that internal political divisions within the United States, including criticism from Congress and factions of the Republican Party, are exerting pressure on the White House and further complicating the negotiations. Notably, the proposed agreement does not address Iran’s ballistic missile program or its support for regional armed groups, rendering it less comprehensive than previous US demands.