No Final Deal Yet, Senior Iranian Official Says, Pouring Cold Water on Reports of Imminent Agreement
Iran confirms it is still “examining” the latest US proposal as gaps remain over uranium, sanctions, and the Strait of Hormuz, despite optimistic signals from Washington and Pakistani mediators
TEHRAN / WASHINGTON — A senior Iranian official has firmly denied that a final agreement has been reached with the United States, contradicting earlier media reports that suggested a breakthrough was imminent and an announcement could come within hours .
According to the official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, negotiations remain ongoing, and Tehran has not yet finalized its position on the latest American proposals . The denial comes just one day after multiple outlets, citing Al Arabiya, reported that a final draft agreement had been completed and was ready for announcement .
What Iranian Officials Are Saying
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed on Wednesday that Tehran had “received the points of view of the American side” and that officials were “currently examining them” .
“We have not yet reached a final agreement,” Baqaei told state television, according to the AFP news agency. “The process continues, and we are carefully evaluating the proposal before us” .
The spokesman reiterated Iran’s core demands, including the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad and an end to the US naval blockade on Iranian ports . He emphasized that any agreement must also include a commitment to end hostilities “on all fronts, including Lebanon” .
Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency reported that the latest US message “has reduced the gaps to some extent” but cautioned that “further narrowing requires an end to the temptation for war on Washington’s part” .
The Reports of a Deal: What Sparked the Confusion
The denial follows a flurry of reports suggesting a breakthrough was imminent. On Wednesday, Al Arabiya claimed that a final agreement between the two sides was likely to be “announced within the next few hours” and that Pakistan’s army chief might travel to Tehran “to announce that the final draft of the agreement has been completed” .
According to those reports, the draft agreement allegedly included:
| Reported Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Immediate ceasefire | Comprehensive cessation of hostilities |
| No-targeting commitment | Both sides agree not to target each other’s installations |
| Joint monitoring mechanism | Framework to ensure implementation |
| Freedom of navigation | Guarantees for shipping in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz |
| Phased sanctions relief | Sanctions to be lifted in phases if Iran complies |
However, no official confirmation was ever issued by Washington, Tehran, or Islamabad . The reports appear to have been premature — or, as some Iranian officials have characterized previous such reports, “fabricated” attempts to influence global markets .
What the Latest US Proposal Actually Contains
According to Iranian media and sources familiar with the negotiations, the latest US proposal — delivered through Pakistani mediators — includes several key elements :
| US Proposal Element | Details |
|---|---|
| End of war across all fronts | Includes cessation of hostilities in Lebanon |
| Lifting of US blockade on Strait of Hormuz | US to end naval blockade on Iranian ports |
| Iran to reopen strait | With tariffs and maritime route preferred by Tehran |
| Release of 25% of frozen assets | Approximately $25 billion |
| 30-day oil sales exemption | Temporary waiver for Iranian oil exports |
| Uranium transfer abroad | Removal of 400kg of enriched uranium from Iran, in best-case scenario |
| Enrichment limits | Acceptance of Iran’s right to 3.67% enrichment (likely to be rejected by US in final phase) |
| Nuclear facility closure | All facilities except Tehran reactor, for medical purposes |
The proposal suggests that the United States wants all of these elements “signed all at once by Iran,” while Iran prefers a phased approach in which measures are implemented and verified over 30 days before nuclear negotiations begin in earnest .
What Trump Is Saying
President Donald Trump has described the negotiations as being “on the borderline” between reaching a deal and a possible return to military strikes .
“It’s right on the borderline, believe me,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews. “If we don’t get the right answers, it goes very quickly. We’re all ready to go. We have to get the right answers, it would have to be a complete 100 percent good answers” .
Trump said an agreement with Tehran could save “a lot of time, energy and lives,” adding that a deal could happen “very quickly, or (in) a few days” .
However, he also made clear that military options remain on the table. “We’ll either have a deal or we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty. But hopefully that won’t happen,” he said .
The Major Sticking Points: Uranium and the Strait
Despite the progress reported by both sides, significant gaps remain on two critical issues.
1. Iran’s Uranium Stockpile
The most contentious issue remains Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, estimated at approximately 400 kilograms — enough for roughly ten nuclear warheads . The United States has demanded that Iran transfer this material abroad, with one option reportedly being shipment to the United States.
However, Iran appears to have hardened its position on this issue. According to a Reuters report, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a directive that the country’s near-weapons-grade uranium should not be sent abroad . Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reinforced this stance, posting on X: “Forcing Iran to surrender through coercion is nothing but an illusion. We will never back down” .
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that if Iran does not agree to transfer its uranium stockpile, “there will be no deal” .
2. Strait of Hormuz Tolls
Another major sticking point is Iran’s proposal to establish a toll system for vessels using the Strait of Hormuz. According to sources cited by The National, Iran has suggested to mediators that it is willing in principle to accept joint administration of the strait with Oman, with transit fees shared between Tehran and Muscat .
Trump has firmly rejected this idea. “We want it open, we want it free, we don’t want tolls,” Trump told reporters Thursday at the White House. “It’s an international waterway. They are not charging tolls right now” .
Rubio added that a toll system would make a diplomatic deal with Tehran “unfeasible” .
The Mediation Process: Pakistan’s Role
Pakistan continues to play a central role in facilitating the negotiations. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi traveled to Tehran on Wednesday — his second visit in less than a week — to exchange messages between the two sides .
According to Iranian media, Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, is also expected to travel to Tehran as part of the mediation effort .
The next round of negotiations is reportedly scheduled to be held in Islamabad after the Hajj season, which concludes in late May .
Market Reaction: Oil Prices Swing
The conflicting statements on the status of negotiations have led to volatile trading in global oil markets.
| Commodity | Movement |
|---|---|
| Brent crude | Fell more than 1.5% to below $104 per barrel after rising more than 3% earlier in the session |
Traders are closely watching the diplomatic developments, as any agreement would likely lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the return of significant Iranian oil to global markets — which could drive prices down further.
However, Goldman Sachs has warned that global stockpiles of crude oil and products are being drawn down at a record pace this month, as the world’s supply buffer rapidly shrinks . Any delay in a deal could exacerbate supply tightness and send prices higher again.
Experts: A Deal Remains Elusive
Analysts caution that even if the two sides narrow their differences, a final agreement remains far from certain.
Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua that for Iran to agree, hostilities would have to end, including strikes against Lebanon — which would require the United States to pressure Israel effectively .
“The prerequisite now is an end to three things: hostilities, the U.S. blockade, and the Strait of Hormuz deadlock. Were that to happen, it would create a window for negotiating everything else,” Ramsay said .
Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Michael O’Hanlon told Xinhua: “I don’t know. But it feels to me like the two sides are both still far apart. I am guessing some kind of lasting settlement by summer, not spring” .
What Comes Next
With both sides publicly holding firm on core demands and the diplomatic window narrowing, the coming days will be critical.
| Scenario | Likelihood | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Final agreement reached | Uncertain | Iran would need to compromise on uranium transfer; US would need to accept phased approach |
| Extended negotiations | Moderate | Mediators may extend timeline; Trump has indicated willingness to wait “a few days” |
| Renewed US-Israeli strikes | Possible | Trump has warned military remains “ready to go” with “complete 100 percent good answers” required |
| Expanded regional war | Low but rising | Iran has warned of “new fronts” if attacks resume |
Trump has indicated that he is willing to wait “several days” for the “right answers” from Tehran . However, he has also made clear that the window is not unlimited.
“We’ll either have a deal or we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty. But hopefully that won’t happen,” Trump said .
For now, the ceasefire holds — but barely. And while the mediators work to finalize an agenda for potential direct talks, the world waits to see whether the next few days produce a breakthrough or a return to war.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Has a final deal between the US and Iran been reached?
A: No. A senior Iranian official has confirmed that no final agreement has been reached, and Tehran is still “examining” the latest US proposal. Earlier reports of an imminent deal have been denied .
Q2: What sparked the reports of a final agreement?
A: On Wednesday, Al Arabiya reported that a final draft agreement had been completed and was likely to be “announced within the next few hours.” However, no official confirmation was ever issued by Washington, Tehran, or Islamabad .
Q3: What is the status of negotiations now?
A: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed that Tehran has received the latest US proposal and is “examining” it. Officials say the new message “has reduced the gaps to some extent,” but significant differences remain .
Q4: What are the main sticking points?
A: Two issues remain major obstacles: (1) Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium — the US demands it be transferred abroad, while Iran appears unwilling to send it out of the country; (2) Iran’s proposal for a toll system in the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump has firmly rejected as “unacceptable” .
Q5: What did President Trump say about the negotiations?
A: Trump described the talks as being “on the borderline” between a deal and a return to military action. He said he is willing to wait “a few days” for the “right answers” but warned that the US military remains “ready to go” .
Q6: What role is Pakistan playing in the negotiations?
A: Pakistan continues to serve as the primary mediator between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan’s interior minister made his second visit to Tehran in less than a week on Wednesday, and the country’s army chief is expected to travel to Iran as well .
Q7: What would a final agreement look like?
A: According to reports, a potential agreement would include an end to hostilities, lifting of the US naval blockade, phased sanctions relief, release of some frozen assets, and a framework for follow-on negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. However, major differences remain on the sequencing and scope of these measures .
Q8: Could the war resume soon?
A: Yes. Trump has warned that if Iran does not provide the “right answers,” military action could come “very quickly.” He has described the situation as “right on the borderline” between peace and renewed conflict .
This is a developing story. Reflecto News will continue to provide updates on US-Iran negotiations, official statements from both sides, and any progress toward a final agreement.