The United States and Iran remain without a breakthrough agreement after a two-hour high-level meeting at the White House on Friday. The administration of US President Donald Trump has made it clear that no deal will be signed unless it aligns with American interests and satisfies the president’s key conditions.
A White House official stated that Trump remains committed to securing an agreement that is beneficial to the United States, while reiterating that Iran must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
Trump to Make Final Call on Potential Agreement
Speaking after the meeting, Trump said he would personally make the final determination on any proposed deal once all terms have been reviewed. The comments come amid ongoing diplomatic exchanges between Washington and Tehran aimed at reaching a framework for a broader agreement.
Despite extensive discussions in the White House Situation Room, officials confirmed that no final decision was reached during Friday’s meeting.
Iran Says Negotiations Continue
Iranian officials responded cautiously to reports of progress in the talks. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said communication between the two sides remains active but stressed that no final understanding has been achieved.
“The exchange of messages is continuing, but no agreement has been finalised,” Baghaei said.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also emphasised that Tehran would judge any future agreement based on concrete actions rather than promises.
Tehran Insists on Reciprocal Commitments
Iranian officials have maintained that any agreement must be based on mutual commitments rather than one-sided concessions. According to Tehran, no action will be taken until corresponding steps are implemented by the other side.
The position highlights ongoing differences over how a potential deal would be structured and enforced.
Iranian Media Pushes Back Against Trump’s Claims
Iran’s state-linked Fars News Agency criticised Trump’s recent statements regarding the negotiations, accusing him of attempting to claim a premature diplomatic victory.
The agency described the president’s remarks as a mixture of fact and speculation, insisting that no final agreement has been approved by Iranian authorities. Sources quoted by the outlet said discussions remain under review and have not yet received formal approval.
Strait of Hormuz Emerges as Key Sticking Point
One of the major areas of disagreement appears to be the future status of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump outlined several conditions he believes Iran must accept, including permanently abandoning nuclear weapons ambitions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted international shipping without imposing fees or tolls.
Trump also claimed that Iran would remove mines from the waterway and that US restrictions on Iranian ports could eventually be lifted.
Iran Rejects Reports on Hormuz Concessions
Iranian sources have disputed several of Trump’s assertions, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
According to reports cited by Fars, the draft proposal under discussion does not require Iran to reopen the route without conditions. Tehran reportedly intends to maintain security oversight of the waterway, including possible vessel monitoring, inspections and other maritime security measures.
The differing accounts underscore the significant gaps that remain between the two sides despite ongoing negotiations.
No Breakthrough Yet
While diplomatic contacts continue, both Washington and Tehran acknowledge that a final agreement remains out of reach. With major issues still unresolved, including nuclear restrictions and maritime security arrangements, negotiations are expected to continue in the coming days as both sides assess their next steps.