Iran has dismissed assertions that a significant pact with the United States is on the verge of completion, citing unresolved critical issues despite advancements in negotiations. Esmail Baghaei, the foreign ministry spokesperson, indicated that while understandings have been reached on various points, a final deal is not yet imminent. He pointed to mixed messages from Washington and interference by Israel as factors contributing to the delay in reaching a consensus.
The talks have predominantly centered on reopening the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping. Iran has clarified that it does not intend to impose tolls on vessels but may levy fees for navigational and environmental protection services in collaboration with Oman. Additionally, Iran has emphasized that any accord must encompass a ceasefire in Lebanon and the removal of restrictions on its ports and shipping operations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has characterized the ongoing discussions as significant, with a proposal on the table. According to reports, the framework includes a 30-day period following a ceasefire during which Iran would be responsible for removing mines from the Strait of Hormuz and reinstating full maritime access. Concurrently, the US military has acknowledged strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and boats allegedly preparing to lay mines. Washington has described these actions as self-defense while continuing to support ceasefire negotiations.
President Donald Trump has stated that any final agreement must be “great and meaningful,” or there will be no deal. He also encouraged several Middle Eastern nations to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, although the proposal has received little interest from regional leaders. One of the unresolved matters is Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Tehran has shown a willingness to temporarily reduce enrichment levels but has refused to transfer its uranium stockpile abroad. Furthermore, Iran is seeking the release of billions of dollars of its frozen assets held overseas.
Iranian officials have argued that internal political divisions within the United States, including criticism from Congress and factions within the Republican Party, are exerting pressure on the White House, further complicating the negotiation process. Currently, the proposed agreement does not address Iran’s ballistic missile program or its support for regional armed groups, rendering it less comprehensive than the broader demands initially made by the US.
