President Donald Trump said that the current offer for ending the war against Iran is insufficient. He threatened to resume strikes on Iran if Tehran did not propose a satisfactory offer.
“Iran is very much intent, they want very much to make a deal,” Trump said at the White House on Wednesday. “So far, they haven’t gotten there. We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be. We will be, either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”
Trump’s remarks followed a report by Iranian state media that Tehran offered a memorandum of understanding to Washington that would end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Under the MOU, Iran and Oman would have joint control over the crucial waterway. Tehran says that it will continue to charge fees to ships that transit the Strait after the conflict ends.
The MOU would also require the US to remove at least some of its military assets in the region.
Iranian media have reported that Tehran is demanding that Washington unfreeze $24 billion in assets, including $12 billion upon the signing of the MOU. The MOU opens a 60-day window to finalize a deal that includes other issues such as Iran’s nuclear program.
One Iranian official said that the US has shifted its position on Tehran’s nuclear enrichment program. “We are only discussing details such as enrichment rates, not the principle of enrichment,” Iranian lawmaker Mohsen Zanganeh explained. “The US position is that enrichment levels must be restricted.”
However, President Trump said that sanctions relief was not on the table in exchange for Tehran making concessions on its nuclear program.
Shortly after Iranian state media reported on the MOU, the White House said it was untrue. The White House’s rapid response account on X posted, “This report from Iranian controlled media is not true and the MOU they ‘released’ is a complete fabrication. Nobody should believe what Iranian state media is putting out. FACTS MATTER.”
