In the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States, significant progress has been noted, yet Iran has refuted claims that a comprehensive agreement is on the verge of completion. According to Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, while there is mutual understanding on numerous issues, unresolved matters still prevent the finalization of a deal. Baghaei highlighted that conflicting messages from Washington and interference from Israel have hindered progress.
The discussions prominently focus on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping. Iran has clarified that while it does not intend to impose tolls on vessels, it may levy fees for navigational and environmental protection services, in collaboration with Oman. A critical condition for Iran is the inclusion of a ceasefire in Lebanon and the lifting of restrictions on Iranian ports and shipping activities in any final agreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the ongoing discussions as significant, with a proposed framework suggesting a 30-day window post-ceasefire for Iran to remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz and ensure full maritime access. Concurrently, the US military has confirmed strikes on missile launch sites in southern Iran, targeting boats allegedly preparing to lay mines. Washington justified these actions as self-defense measures while continuing to support ceasefire initiatives.
President Donald Trump has emphasized that the eventual agreement must be “great and meaningful” or 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, though regional leaders have reportedly shown little enthusiasm for 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 remains firm against transferring its uranium stockpile abroad, and is seeking the release of billions in frozen assets held internationally.
Iranian officials have pointed to domestic political divisions in the US, including criticism from Congress and parts of the Republican Party, as factors putting pressure on the White House and complicating negotiations. The current proposal does not address Iran’s ballistic missile program or its support for regional armed groups, rendering it less comprehensive than the US had initially demanded.
