Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, May 30: US President Donald Trump held a meeting with senior advisers in the White House Situation Room on Friday but stopped short of approving a proposed agreement aimed at extending the ceasefire with Iran and reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
According to a senior administration official, the nearly two-hour meeting concluded without a final decision. Trump is said to be evaluating whether the proposed agreement meets key US conditions, particularly those related to curbing Iran's nuclear programme.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump indicated that he was preparing to make a "final determination" on the proposal. He later reiterated on social media that Iran must commit to never developing a nuclear weapon and demanded that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened to international shipping, with all sea mines removed.
Reports earlier suggested that US and Iranian negotiators had reached a tentative understanding that would extend the current ceasefire by 60 days while fresh negotiations are held on Iran's disputed nuclear activities.
However, Iranian officials insisted that no agreement has been finalised. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the focus remains on ending hostilities rather than discussing the details of a nuclear settlement.
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, expressed deep scepticism over US assurances, stating that Iran trusted actions rather than promises. He stressed that Tehran would not move forward until the other side fulfilled its commitments.
The proposed framework reportedly seeks to address concerns surrounding Iran's nuclear programme. According to the latest assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses more than 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent purity, a level close to weapons-grade enrichment.
Trump has demanded that the enriched uranium stockpile be removed and destroyed under international supervision involving the United States, Iran and the IAEA.
Another key element of the proposal concerns the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy transit routes. Under the draft arrangement, Iran would remove all mines from the waterway within 30 days and would not be allowed to impose tolls on passing vessels.
In return, the United States would gradually ease restrictions on Iranian ports and relax certain sanctions, enabling Iran to expand oil exports.
Iran, however, has maintained that management of the strait should remain with Iran and neighbouring Oman, which shares control of the waterway. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said both countries would adopt mechanisms governing transit through the strait based on their national interests and those of the international community.
Iran has also reportedly sought the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets and wants any broader agreement to include a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.
The Strait of Hormuz has remained effectively closed since hostilities escalated following US and Israeli military actions earlier this year. Before the conflict, nearly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies passed through the route.
The disruption has contributed to rising fuel prices and increased economic uncertainty worldwide. Although Iran has allowed limited commercial traffic in recent weeks, vessel movement remains significantly below pre-conflict levels.
Despite repeated accusations of ceasefire violations from both sides, Washington and Tehran have continued diplomatic contacts, keeping hopes alive for a broader agreement aimed at reducing tensions in the region.