Iran has dismissed suggestions that a deal with the US is close, pointing to confusion in US positions and Israeli interference as major obstacles to reaching a full agreement.
Speaking at the weekly foreign ministry press briefing, Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s negotiating team, also said that future management of the Strait of Hormuz is a matter for Oman and Iran to agree on, and that what’s being proposed are not tolls but “fees for navigational services.”
Referring to the state of the talks, Baghaei said: “It’s true that we’ve reached agreement on a large part of the issues under discussion. But to say that means a deal is about to be signed—no one can claim that.”
He also insisted that a ceasefire in Lebanon must be included in the memorandum of understanding that would allow Iran to permit commercial shipping through the strait, and for the US to lift its blockade of Iran’s ports.
In contrast, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio still expressed hope on Monday that a deal could be reached. However, there appeared to be a growing list of unresolved issues in what was meant to be a roadmap for restarting nuclear talks—talks that Trump abandoned in February in favor of war.
Rubio said it takes time to get a response from Iran’s political system, but stressed: “Either we will have a good deal, or we will handle this issue another way—and we prefer a good deal.”
US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday that the deal would either be “great and meaningful, or there will be no deal at all.”
During the briefing, Baghaei also said the memorandum would not address nuclear issues, such as what to do with Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, except for a commitment to negotiate within the next 60 days. Trump, under growing pressure from critics within the Republican Party, wants the memorandum to include a commitment from Iran to get rid of its highly enriched uranium stockpile, even if the exact method isn’t spelled out.
In earlier rounds of talks with the US, Iran has said it’s willing to down-blend the enriched uranium, but won’t allow the stockpile to be transferred to either the US or Russia. It has mentioned suspending domestic enrichment for up to five years, but not the 20 years the US is asking for.
Iranian officials also claimed that the political uproar over the deal inside the US is putting pressure on Trump to back away from plans to release up to $12 billion (£9 billion) in frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar. The governor of Iran’s central bank, Abdolnaser Hemmati, traveled to Qatar on Monday.
Releasing those assets is a key demand from Iran, but it carries painful parallels for Trump, who criticized Barack Obama for giving $1.7 billion in cash to Iran during the 2015 nuclear deal.
Referring to the chaos in Washington, Baghaei said: “You’re facing a wave of dismissals, contradictory statements, opposition from Congress, and also opposition from parts of public opinion.”
Trump, on the other hand, has dismissed his critics, saying he won’t “listen to losers who criticize something they know nothing about.”
The deal includes nothing about Iran’s ballistic missiles or its support for regional proxy groups. As such, it contrasts with Trump’s promise that the war would end with Iran’s complete surrender.
Baghaei accused Israel of trying to sabotage the deal, saying nothing else should be expected from the Israelis.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei said talks were held on Monday between Omani and Iranian officials. He claimed the reason Oman and Iran are trying to establish a reliable and effective mechanism to ensure safe passage through the strait is precisely because “we believe in the use of this international waterway for free trade and safe navigation.”
Rejecting claims that the Iranian plan amounts to nationalizing an open waterway, he said that…If navigation services are provided, along with the necessary measures to protect the strait’s environment, these require collecting fees. But we shouldn’t use the word ‘tolls.’ We don’t charge tolls. I think we need to be careful with our choice of words.
European and Gulf states are likely to see this as a distinction without a real difference, especially if commercial shipping is effectively forced to rely on Iran’s navigation services.
Inside Iran, many commentators viewed the upcoming deal as a roadmap for a tense coexistence aimed at managing conflict, rather than ending it.
The sense that the war might now be reaching its final stages was reinforced by reports that Iranian officials would reconnect the country to the international internet within a week, following a vote by the Supreme National Security Council. Iranian officials, facing soaring food price inflation, are worried about public reaction once internet restrictions are lifted. Meanwhile, the wave of executions inside Iran continues without slowing down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the statement Iran says a deal with the US is not close even though some progress has been made
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Whats the big deal Is there a new agreement being made
Yes there are negotiations happening between Iran and the US regarding Irans nuclear program The goal is to agree on limits for Irans nuclear activities in exchange for lifting economic sanctions
2 So are they close to a deal or not
According to Iranian officials no They have stated publicly that a final deal is not close right now
3 But I heard there was progress What does that mean
Progress means they have had some positive talks maybe agreed on smaller issues or both sides are still talking instead of walking away However a few small steps forward doesnt mean they are about to sign a final agreement
4 Why cant they just make a deal quickly
Because the issues are very complicated They disagree on how much uranium Iran can enrich how strict international inspections should be and which sanctions the US should remove Both sides want different things
Intermediate Advanced Questions
5 If progress was made why would Iran say a deal isnt close Isnt that contradictory
Its a strategic statement By saying a deal isnt close Iran is likely trying to
Increase its negotiating leverage
Manage domestic expectations
Pressure the US to offer more concessions before the final stage
Progress refers to technical talks not close refers to the political will to finalize
6 What are the main sticking points preventing a final deal
The three biggest obstacles are usually
1 Advanced centrifuges Iran wants to keep developing faster machines for enriching uranium the US wants them dismantled
2 Sanctions relief Iran wants all sanctions removed verifiably and permanently the US wants to keep some snapback options
3 Inspections Iran resists intrusive access to military sites which the US demands to verify compliance
