Bessent Says US Won’t Lift Iran Sanctions Until Tehran Meets Nuclear, Hormuz Red Lines

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on May 28 the US has set non-negotiable demands in talks with Iran over ending the war, including the handover of highly enriched uranium, abandoning nuclear weapons and guaranteeing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Sanctions relief will not be discussed until Iran accepts those terms, he said.

Bessent made the remarks during a White House briefing on May 28.

Asked whether the US and Iran had reached a tentative agreement, Bessent said, “Everything depends on what the president wants to do.” President Donald Trump “is not going to make a bad deal for the American people and the United States,” he added.

Axios reported earlier on May 28 that the US and Iran had agreed to a memorandum of understanding to end the war, though Trump had not yet given final approval.

Bessent’s comments appeared to reaffirm Washington’s principles rather than confirm whether a provisional deal had been reached.

Trump said at a Cabinet meeting on May 27, “I didn’t do this to make a terrible deal,” underscoring the administration’s position that any agreement must satisfy US standards.

Bessent also said sanctions relief for Iran will not be considered until Tehran agrees to those principles.

He said Oman’s ambassador to the US told him in a phone call that Oman has no plans to impose transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, when Iran appeared to be moving with Oman to collect passage fees in the waterway, the US strongly urged Oman not to cooperate with Tehran.

Bessent also addressed the durability of the ceasefire when asked about sporadic military action by the US and Iran in recent days. “Everything we have done so far has been defensive in nature, and for now we will maintain that posture,” he said.

He did not rule out military action. “Our patience is not unlimited,” Bessent said. If Trump concludes he cannot secure a peaceful agreement, “kinetic” operations would resume, he added.

Han Kyung-woo, Hankyung.com reporter case@hankyung.com