Iran has dismissed the notion that it is on the verge of finalizing a significant agreement with the United States, highlighting that several critical issues remain unresolved despite advancements in the negotiations. According to Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, while there has been progress on various fronts, a final deal is not yet imminent. He attributed the delay to conflicting signals from Washington and interference from Israel.
A central topic in the discussions is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping. Iran has made it clear that it does not intend to impose tolls on vessels passing through, although it may levy fees for navigational and environmental protection services, in partnership with Oman. Additionally, Iran is firm on including 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 commented that talks are still ongoing and described the current proposal as significant. The framework under consideration proposes a 30-day period following a ceasefire during which Iran would clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz and ensure full maritime access is restored. Meanwhile, the US military conducted strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and vessels reportedly preparing to deploy mines. Washington characterized these actions as self-defense, while continuing to endorse the ceasefire efforts.
President Donald Trump emphasized that any final agreement would have to be “great and meaningful,” or there would be no deal at all. He also urged Middle Eastern nations to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, though there seems to be little interest from regional leaders in this proposal. Another sticking point in the negotiations is Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. While Tehran has expressed willingness to temporarily reduce enrichment levels, it has rejected demands to transfer its uranium stockpile abroad. Iran is also seeking the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets held internationally.
Iranian officials have argued that internal political divisions within the US, including criticism from Congress and parts of the Republican Party, are exerting pressure on the White House and complicating the negotiations further. Notably, the proposed deal does not address Iran’s ballistic missile program or its support for regional armed groups, making it less comprehensive than previous US demands.
