Trump Says He Will Meet for Final Decision on Iran Ceasefire Talks as Disputes Persist Over Hormuz

President Donald Trump said on May 29 he would convene a meeting in the White House Situation Room to make a final decision on ceasefire talks with Iran.

The US has been holding backchannel ceasefire negotiations with Iran through mediators including Pakistan and Qatar. Most of the terms have been agreed, with only Trump’s final approval remaining, Axios and other outlets reported earlier.

In a Truth Social post on May 29, Trump said Iran must agree to “never have a nuclear weapon, or nuclear bomb.” He also said the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened immediately to unrestricted two-way shipping without tolls.

He said underwater mines were being cleared and that Iran would remove the rest. Vessels stranded in the strait by what he described as an unprecedented naval blockade could now begin “return to home port procedures” because the blockade had been lifted, he wrote.

On Iran’s enriched uranium, Trump said the US would work closely with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency to excavate and dispose of it. He also indicated the material could be disposed of inside Iran. There would be no exchange of money until further notice, he added.

Trump’s comments, along with remarks attributed to US officials, indicate an agreement may be near. Still, Iran’s Fars News Agency, citing sources, said Trump’s claims mixed fact and falsehood and amounted to an attempt to manufacture a victory. The report suggested some differences remain even if the sides are close to a deal.

The draft memorandum, written in an “action for action” format, is now in the final approval stage inside Iran, and no final decision has been made, Fars reported. It said Trump, having realized it would be difficult to back out of the agreement, was making statements that conflicted with the text while also saying the naval blockade would end immediately.

Fars said Trump’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened without tolls does not appear in the draft memorandum. After the US lifts the naval blockade, Iran will reopen the strait under procedures agreed in advance, the report said.

The agency also said Trump’s assertion that the US would destroy highly enriched uranium is not included in the draft memorandum. Sources cited by Fars said the claim itself was entirely unfounded.

Fars also said Trump did not mention other provisions in his May 29 remarks. Under the draft, the US would release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets immediately after the memorandum is signed. If that does not happen, Iran would not proceed to the next stage of negotiations.

A full ceasefire in Lebanon in line with Hezbollah’s position is also included in the memorandum, Fars said.

Iran would move in the next phase to discussions on lifting all sanctions and addressing the nuclear issue only after those matters are resolved, according to Fars. Any final agreement would be based on the principles and red lines of Iran’s system and on deep distrust of the US, it said.

The following is the full text of Trump’s Truth Social post:

“Iran must agree to NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, OR NUCLEAR BOMB. The Strait of Hormuz must be opened IMMEDIATELY, with no toll or shipping charges, and allow for unrestricted passage in both directions. All underwater mines (bombs) must be cleared (we have already removed many of them by detonation, using our excellent minesweepers. Iran must complete the immediate removal and/or detonation of the remaining mines, which are not numerous). Ships that were trapped in the Strait because of our amazing and unprecedented naval blockade can now begin ‘return to home port procedures,’ because the blockade has been lifted! Please give my regards to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from your favorite President! The enriched nuclear material, also known as ‘nuclear dust,’ is buried deep underground, with the mountain above it having essentially collapsed because of our powerful B-2 bomber strike 11 months ago. It will be excavated and disposed of by the United States (agreed to be the only country, along with China, with that mechanical capability), working closely with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the IAEA. There will be no exchange of money until further notice. Much less important matters have also been agreed. I will now have a meeting in the Situation Room in order to make a final decision. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President Donald J. Trump”

Washington — Lee Sang-eun, Hankyung correspondent, selee@hankyung.com