Iran insists on nuclear enrichment under any deal with US
Iran on Friday reaffirmed its determination to retain the right to enrich uranium and oversee activities in the Strait of Hormuz under any future agreement with the United States, despite US President Donald Trump’s claim that a draft deal had already been finalized.
While Israel, a key US ally, maintained that Trump had assured it any accord would require Iran to surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency dismissed such claims, saying the issue was not under consideration.
The two countries have spent several weeks engaged in indirect negotiations aimed at ending the conflict triggered by US and Israeli military strikes on Iran on February 28.
Although a ceasefire came into force in April, occasional clashes have continued to raise concerns about a renewed escalation, even as Trump repeatedly expressed confidence that an agreement was close.
According to IRNA, following the signing of a preliminary memorandum of understanding, Tehran and Washington agreed to enter a 60-day negotiation period. The report stated that Iran’s right to enrich uranium and retain its enriched nuclear material would remain key priorities in discussions and would be pushed for inclusion in any final agreement.
Iran is also insisting on maintaining authority over shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy route responsible for transporting large volumes of oil and gas from the Gulf. Since the outbreak of hostilities with the United States and Israel, Tehran has imposed restrictions on the waterway.
The Iranian government has permitted only limited maritime traffic through the strait and continues to require vessels to obtain authorization from its military before passage.
Within Iran, reactions to the prospect of a deal have been mixed. Some citizens fear that an agreement with Washington could strengthen the existing political establishment.
A 29-year-old café worker in Tehran, speaking anonymously due to security concerns, said he remained uncertain about the potential impact of such an agreement.
“I don’t know whether it will help or hurt ordinary people,” he said. “The expectation was that the war would lead to the removal of the current system, but that hasn’t happened. So it’s unclear what a deal would really change.”
IRNA stressed that Iran had not agreed to relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz or restore pre-war conditions, adding that negotiations were focused on finalizing the broad framework of the proposed agreement.
These demands could complicate efforts to quickly conclude a deal, despite investor optimism that has contributed to gains in stock markets and declining oil prices.
Trump, who said the proposed agreement had received approval from Iran’s highest leadership, announced on Thursday that he had suspended plans for a new round of military strikes against Iranian targets.
“The time and place for signing will be announced soon,” Trump said, adding that the arrangement had also been endorsed by Washington’s regional allies, including Israel.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Mehr news agency, citing a source close to the negotiating team, published what it described as the latest draft of the agreement.
According to the report, the proposal would bring an end to hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon, facilitate the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, and establish a 60-day framework for further discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The draft also reportedly includes the suspension of sanctions affecting Iran’s oil and petrochemical exports and the removal of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports that has been in effect since April 13.
Mehr further reported that the agreement calls for the United States and its allies to compensate Iran for war-related damages and to support reconstruction efforts estimated at no less than $300 billion.
The report added that comprehensive negotiations would not proceed until half of Iran’s frozen assets are released, oil sanctions are eased, and the naval blockade is lifted.
Responding to reports that Iran remained hesitant about the agreement, Trump reiterated his confidence, saying he believed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, had approved the proposal.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later confirmed he had spoken with Trump, who assured him that any final agreement would require Iran to give up its enriched uranium stockpiles and dismantle its missile infrastructure.
Netanyahu maintained Israel’s longstanding position, declaring: “As long as I remain Prime Minister, Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.”