The Iranian government has dismissed reports that an extensive deal with the United States is on the brink of completion, citing unresolved issues that remain a barrier despite some headway in talks. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei acknowledged progress on numerous points but emphasized that it is premature to declare a deal forthcoming. He attributed delays to contradictory messages from Washington and what he described as interference from Israel.
One of the central topics in the discussions is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping. Iran has clarified its stance, stating it has no intention of imposing tolls on vessels passing through but might levy charges for navigational and environmental services in collaboration with Oman. Furthermore, Iran has made it clear that any potential agreement must also address a ceasefire in Lebanon and the lifting of restrictions on its ports and shipping activities.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has characterized the ongoing discussions as significant and noted that the current framework proposes a 30-day period following a ceasefire during which Iran would be expected to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz, thus ensuring full maritime access. Meanwhile, the US military has confirmed it conducted strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and vessels allegedly preparing to lay mines, actions it described as self-defense while affirming support for continued ceasefire negotiations.
US President Donald Trump has expressed that the final agreement must be “great and meaningful” or there would be no deal at all. He has also called for several Middle Eastern nations to join the Abraham Accords and establish normalized relations with Israel, though this proposal has reportedly met with little enthusiasm from regional leaders. Another sticking point in the negotiations is Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. While Tehran has shown a willingness to temporarily reduce enrichment levels, it has refused demands to transfer its uranium stockpile abroad and is also seeking the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets held internationally.
Iranian officials have argued that internal political divisions in the US, including criticism from Congress and some Republican Party members, are exerting additional pressure on the White House and further complicating the negotiation process. The proposed agreement, however, does not cover Iran’s ballistic missile program or its support for regional armed groups, making it less comprehensive than what the US initially demanded.
