In addition to the ceasefire and shipping conditions, Trump insisted that Iran allows the US to remove and destroy its enriched uranium. He emphasized that "No money will be exchanged, until further notice," and claimed that "Other items, of far less importance, have been agreed to." The US has long demanded that Iran stop producing highly enriched uranium and dispose of its existing stockpile, which in theory could be used to create nuclear weapons.

Iran’s response to these developments has been dismissive of the nuclear aspects of the deal. Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry, told state TV that the country is "focused on ending the war, and there are no negotiations on the nuclear issue." This statement directly contradicts the US narrative that a nuclear framework is part of the current negotiations.

Further complicating matters, Iran's Fars news agency cited informed sources as saying that Trump's latest comments were a "mixture of truth and lies." The agency reported that there was no provision to destroy nuclear materials in the sides' memorandum of understanding. This discrepancy between the two sides' understanding of the memorandum highlights the fragile state of the negotiations.

US Vice-President JD Vance addressed the status of the talks on Thursday, noting that negotiators were "going back and forth on a couple of language points." Vance specifically mentioned that these points include the "question of enrichment." Despite the difficulties, Vance remained optimistic, stating, "We're not there yet, but we're very close and we're going to keep on working at it."

The tension surrounding the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint. As the world’s most important oil transit chokepoint, any disruption in this region has immediate global economic consequences. The US demand for unrestricted access is not just a diplomatic preference but an economic necessity for maintaining global oil supply stability. The potential reopening of the strait would likely lead to a significant drop in global oil prices, alleviating some of the economic pressure caused by the current conflict.

However, the core issue of Iran's nuclear program remains unresolved. While Iran claims it is not negotiating this aspect, the US insistence on removing enriched uranium suggests that Washington views nuclear disarmament as a non-negotiable prerequisite for peace. This fundamental disagreement could derail the deal at the final hour, despite the high-level engagement from both President Trump and Vice-President Vance.

Trump Sets Final Iran Ceasefire Deadline

The current diplomatic push represents a critical juncture for US-Iran relations. President Trump’s demand for a final determination in the Situation Room signals that the administration is willing to make a definitive move, either toward peace or further escalation. The conditions set by Washington, particularly regarding nuclear disarmament and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, are severe and non-negotiable from the US perspective. If Iran accepts these terms, it could lead to a stable 60-day ceasefire and a restart of nuclear talks. However, given Tehran’s firm stance that it is not negotiating its nuclear program, and the reported contradictions in the memorandum of understanding, the likelihood of a full agreement remains uncertain. If the deal fails, the conflict could intensify, leading to further military strikes and prolonged economic instability in the Gulf region. The coming days will determine whether diplomatic efforts can overcome deep-seated mistrust or if the region faces another phase of intense hostility.