US President Donald Trump remains firm in his stance regarding a potential peace agreement with Iran, emphasizing that any deal must align with his conditions, as stated by a White House official. This development comes amid ongoing discussions aimed at resolving the conflict that has unsettled the Middle East and caused ripples across the global economy.
Despite suggestions from the White House that Trump was nearing a decision, Iranian authorities have stressed that no final agreement has been established. An Iranian state media report contested several claims made by Trump, which they described as a blend of truth and misinformation.
US sources revealed that the anticipated deal is awaiting Trump’s approval after weeks of staggered negotiations. Following a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room, Trump did not arrive at a conclusion. A White House official reiterated, “President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines.” The official was adamant that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
In a lengthy social media post, Trump reiterated his expectations from Iran, including a pledge never to pursue nuclear weapon development and the reopening of the critical Strait of Hormuz for shipping. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei responded to these assertions by asserting that Iran has long moved past the notion of being dictated to.
While exchanges between the two nations are ongoing, Baqaei indicated that “no final agreement has been reached yet.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed to the Emir of Qatar that Iran is prepared to negotiate a “dignified framework” to conclude the conflict.
In Trump’s post, he suggested that Iran would undertake the removal of mines from the Strait of Hormuz and cease its blockade, while the US would simultaneously lift its blockade of Iranian ports. He affirmed that both countries would collaborate on the elimination of Iran’s enriched uranium, insisting that “no money will be exchanged, until further notice.”
Contradicting Trump’s statements, Iranian sources reported that Tehran is demanding the immediate release of $12 billion in frozen assets before any further advancements in negotiations. They also questioned the legality and existence of the terms regarding the toll-free reopening of the Strait, reacting to Trump’s comments about the destruction of Iran’s nuclear material by labeling them as unfounded.
Baqaei noted that there are currently “no negotiations” occurring about Iran’s nuclear program, attributing the stall to the US’s approach. A local resident in Tonekabon expressed skepticism about the truthfulness of both nations’ claims, suggesting that further strife seems inevitable.
As hopes for a resolution briefly surged on Thursday following optimistic remarks from US officials, the intricate energy markets exhibited volatility, influenced by the precarious nature of these negotiations. Washington and Tehran continue to accuse each other of violating ceasefire agreements, with recent tensions evidenced by US airstrikes and retaliatory Iranian actions.
In a related development on the Lebanon front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported that Israeli forces had made significant advancements in Lebanon, while the Iranian-supported group Hezbollah claimed responsibility for multiple drone strikes directed at Israeli military targets. These events unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing security discussions in Washington, which were described as “productive” by Pentagon officials.
Amid continued heavy bombardments in southern Lebanon, humanitarian concerns have escalated, with the Lebanese health ministry reporting casualties among emergency responders due to the conflict. Although a ceasefire was intended to be in place since April 17, both sides have actively engaged in hostilities, citing breaches by the other party as justification. The turmoil has persisted since March when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in recent US-Israeli operations.
