'Deal To End War Mostly Complete': Donald Trump Says Iran Halts Nuclear Programme

President Trump elaborated on the purported terms in a series of interviews and social media posts, claiming the deal involves an "unlimited" halt to Iranian nuclear activities without a sunset clause. He stated that the United States would work jointly with Iran to excavate and secure all of Iran's enriched uranium, which he referred to as "nuclear dust" remaining after US and Israeli bombing campaigns on nuclear sites last year. Trump was adamant that "no money will exchange hands," directly refuting earlier reports that a release of some $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets was being considered in exchange for its uranium stockpile. The president also indicated the agreement would extend to regional security, claiming Iran agreed to cease support for proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

However, Iran's public response has been contradictory to the White House's optimistic portrayal. An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman swiftly denied that the country's enriched uranium would be transferred anywhere, challenging a central pillar of the deal as described by Trump. While one Iranian official noted that the level of uranium enrichment was "negotiable," Tehran has consistently maintained that the right to enrich is "indisputable." Chief Iranian negotiator Mohammad Ghalibaf went further, stating on social media that President Trump had made several false claims and that such tactics would not help in negotiations.

The diplomatic push follows a period of direct military conflict that began after initial negotiations collapsed in 2025. A US naval blockade on Iranian ports remains in effect, with Trump stating it will not be lifted until a final deal is signed. In a move seen as a concession, Iran announced the reopening of the crucial Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping for the duration of the ceasefire, a step President Trump acknowledged. However, Iranian state media has suggested the reopening is conditional and requires coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Despite President Trump's declaration that there are "no sticking points," US officials have privately conceded that significant gaps between the two sides remain. The upcoming negotiations, reportedly to be held in Pakistan, will be critical in determining if these differences can be bridged. The international community is watching closely to see if a formal agreement can be finalized, which would not only resolve the nuclear issue but also aims to bring broader stability to a region unsettled by the recent war.