US President Donald Trump on Friday concluded a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room on a proposed agreement with Iran without announcing a final decision, according to media reports.
Trump had earlier indicated that he would make a "final determination" on a proposal aimed at extending the current ceasefire with Iran, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and launching negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme. However, after the meeting ended, the White House provided no indication that a decision had been reached.
According to CNN, a White House official confirmed only that the meeting lasted about two hours and reiterated the administration's longstanding position that Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump outlined a series of conditions that Iran would need to meet for an agreement. These included reopening the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted shipping, removing any mines from the waterway, agreeing never to develop a nuclear weapon and allowing the United States, in coordination with Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to remove or destroy highly enriched uranium stockpiles.
In a social media post, Trump stated, "Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb." He also said the US naval blockade would be lifted if the conditions were met.
The proposed memorandum of understanding, according to The Washington Post, would extend the existing ceasefire by 60 days while Washington and Tehran negotiate the terms of a broader agreement, including the future of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.
Iran, however, signalled that negotiations remain incomplete. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that while communication between Tehran and Washington continues, no agreement has yet been finalised.
Speaking to state-run IRIB TV, Baghaei said Iran's current focus in the negotiations is on ending the conflict. "We have no talk on details of the issues pertaining to Iran's uranium enrichment or enriched uranium at this stage," he said.
Baghaei also pushed back against Trump's remarks on the Strait of Hormuz, saying that the future management of the strategic waterway concerns only Iran and Oman.
Reports suggest several sticking points remain unresolved. According to The New York Times, Iranian officials continue to oppose a number of US demands, while hard-line factions within Iran remain resistant to any deal. At the same time, Iranian negotiators are reportedly seeking the release of frozen assets and relief from economic sanctions.
Despite these differences, officials on both sides have indicated that diplomacy remains active. US officials continue to press for measures addressing Iran's nuclear activities and regional security concerns, while Iranian negotiators seek economic concessions as part of any broader settlement.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the negotiations. Roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes through the narrow waterway, making it one of the most strategically important shipping routes in the world.
Tensions around the strait remain high. CNN reported that Iran's Revolutionary Guard navy fired warning shots at four vessels near the waterway on Friday, claiming the ships attempted to transit the area without prior authorisation.
The outcome of the negotiations carries significant economic implications. According to CNN, the heads of the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group and World Trade Organization (WTO) have warned that any prolonged disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could threaten fuel security and broader global economic stability.
Financial markets reacted positively to indications that diplomatic efforts remain ongoing. The New York Times reported that oil prices declined while US stocks gained on expectations that a deal could eventually restore normal shipping operations through the critical trade route.
Meanwhile, The New York Times and CNN reported that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington had seized approximately $1 billion worth of Iranian cryptocurrency assets as part of its broader pressure campaign against Tehran.
The latest negotiations come after months of tensions and conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have fuelled fears of a wider regional confrontation and disrupted global energy markets. While no breakthrough has yet been announced, both Washington and Tehran appear to be keeping diplomatic channels open as discussions continue.
