WASHINGTON: The White House has dismissed reports by Iranian state media claiming that Tehran had obtained an initial draft of unofficial framework of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States regarding an agreement to end the ongoing conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Calling the report “not true,” the White House said the alleged draft agreement was “a complete fabrication” and rejected any suggestion that such a document exists or has been circulated between the two sides.
According to the reports, the proposed framework suggests that Iran would restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels within one month. In return, the United States would reportedly withdraw its military forces from areas near Iran and lift a naval blockade.
The state media further claimed that the draft excludes military vessels and envisions Iran managing maritime traffic through the strategic waterway in coordination with Oman.
It also noted that the framework remains preliminary and has not been finalised, with Tehran stating it would take no concrete steps without “tangible verification” of commitments.
The report added that, if a final agreement is reached within 60 days, it could potentially be submitted for approval as a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.
Iran Rules Out Talks on Highly Enriched Uranium
Earlier Iran ruled out any negotiations over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in ongoing discussions with the United States, reaffirming that the issue remains outside the scope of talks.
Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran’s position on the matter is firm and non-negotiable. Speaking to Fars News Agency on the sidelines of an international security conference in Moscow, he stressed that the issue “is not on the agenda of the negotiations,” according to reports.
Trump to Convene Cabinet
President Donald Trump is set to hold a Cabinet meeting today as the administration faces growing pressure to advance efforts toward ending the ongoing war.
All Cabinet members are expected to attend the meeting, confirmed by Fox News, including outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
The New York Post earlier reported that Iran is set to dominate the meeting, which was expected to be attended by all cabinet members. The economy is also on the agenda, it added.
Oil Falls as Rubio Keeps Iran Deal Hopes Alive
Global oil prices pulled back on Wednesday after surging nearly four per cent a day earlier, as investors monitored Iran-IS negotiations following renewed military escalation in the Middle East.
Brent crude futures fell around 1.4 per cent to nearly $98 a barrel.
Likewise, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped about 1.8 per cent to trade close to $92 a barrel during Asian trading hours, according to media reports.
The decline came after oil markets rallied sharply on Tuesday following fresh US military strikes inside Iran.
The latest strikes, which the US described in self-defence, revived fears over disruptions to energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait is one of the world’s most strategically important oil transit routes.
Iran accused Washington of violating a ceasefire by targeting positions near the Strait of Hormuz. In contrast, US officials described the strikes as defensive operations.
