Trump to decide on Iran ceasefire deal, demands Hormuz reopening 

WASHINGTON/DUBAI — U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he is expected to make a decision soon on a proposed agreement to extend the ceasefire with Iran, while insisting Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz and permanently abandon any nuclear weapons capability.

Trump said he convened a meeting in the White House Situation Room to make what he called a “final determination” on a proposal that would extend the ceasefire, first reached in early April, for another 60 days while negotiators work toward a permanent settlement.

A White House official confirmed the meeting lasted about two hours but did not say whether Trump had reached a final decision.

“President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines. Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” the official said.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that an agreement appears close but has not yet received final approval.

Despite signs of progress, major disagreements remain.

Trump said Iran must immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted shipping and guarantee it will never develop nuclear weapons.

“Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb. The Hormuz Strait must be immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions,” Trump said.

Iran, however, rejected key parts of Trump’s position.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on state television that decisions regarding management of the strait should be made jointly by Iran and Oman. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency described Trump’s remarks as an effort to portray a “fabricated victory.”

According to a senior Iranian source speaking anonymously, the proposed agreement currently under discussion does not include nuclear-related provisions.

Fars reported that Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz under its own conditions after the United States lifts restrictions on Iranian shipping. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said any removal of the blockade would occur gradually.

The Iranian outlet also reported a tentative agreement involving the release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets. Trump later stated that no money would be exchanged “until further notice,” suggesting unresolved disagreements over financial issues, including possible toll payments, war reparations, or asset releases.

The conflict has placed Trump under growing domestic pressure ahead of the November congressional elections. Rising fuel prices linked to instability in the Strait of Hormuz have fueled voter concerns over the economy, while hardline critics within his party remain wary of any concessions to Tehran.

The war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began on February 28, has killed thousands and disrupted global energy markets due to the strategic waterway’s restricted access.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed mines would be removed from the strait and suggested stranded ships could soon depart.

Kazakhstan has reportedly expressed willingness to store Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium if an agreement is reached, according to International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi in an interview with the Financial Times. Kazakhstan already hosts an internationally supervised uranium bank intended to secure nuclear fuel supplies for member states.

Iran is also seeking broader concessions, including sanctions relief, withdrawal of U.S. military forces from the region, and an end to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon.

The ongoing conflict in Lebanon has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians. Lebanese authorities say more than 3,200 people have been killed in Israeli strikes, while Israel reports 23 soldiers and four civilians killed since hostilities intensified.