Iran Has Not Yet Confirmed Trump’s Claim of a Deal

Iran has declined to confirm US President Donald Trump’s optimistic statements about an imminent deal between Washington and Tehran. Its foreign ministry said large parts of the draft agreement had been finalized, but no final decision had yet been made.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the document was still being reviewed by the relevant decision-making bodies and that Iran would not compromise on its red lines.

Trump said the conflict with Iran had been resolved and that a deal could be signed as early as this weekend. He also said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen once an agreement was signed.

Tehran is demanding the lifting of international sanctions, the release of frozen funds and recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz. It denies seeking to acquire a nuclear weapon.

Iranian state media also reported that the country’s forces had prevented a tanker from crossing the Strait of Hormuz without coordinating with the authorities. About one fifth of the world’s energy shipments normally pass through the waterway.

(reuters, bak)