Trump meeting ends without deal on Iran ceasefire extension
US President Donald Trump met top aides in the White House Situation Room on Friday to make a final determination on extending the ceasefire with Iran, but the session ended without a decision.
Trump said Iran must agree never to possess a nuclear weapon, that the Strait of Hormuz must reopen for unrestricted shipping in both directions, and that any mines in the waterway must be destroyed. He also said the United States must be allowed to remove and destroy Iran's enriched uranium, and that no money would change hands until further notice.
On Thursday the two sides had reached a draft memorandum of understanding that would extend the ceasefire for 60 days and start talks on Iran's nuclear program, according to US officials. The deal still required approval from both Trump and Iranian leaders.
Iran has said it is not negotiating over its nuclear program, which it maintains is for civilian purposes only. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state television the government is focused on ending the war and that there are no nuclear talks.
Iran's Fars news agency reported that the memorandum contained no provision for destroying nuclear materials and described Trump's latest comments as a mix of truth and lies.
Trump has said he is prepared to lift the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz so that ships can begin heading home. Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said earlier Friday that Tehran has no trust in guarantees or words, only actions, and that no step will be taken until the other side acts.
US Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that negotiators were still working on a few language points, including the question of enrichment, and that the two sides were close but not yet there.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, speaking at a security summit in Singapore, said US stockpiles were sufficient to resume strikes on Iran if needed.
The ceasefire took effect on 8 April. The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on 28 February. Iran responded by attacking Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf and closing the strait, through which about 20 percent of the world's energy supplies normally pass.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Wow
0
Sad
0
Angry
0
Comments (0)