White House says no agreement will be signed unless Tehran meets Washington’s core demands
US President Donald Trump ended a high-stakes two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room on Saturday without reaching a final decision on a potential agreement with Iran, underscoring the deep divisions that continue to block a broader settlement between Washington and Tehran.
Despite speculation that a breakthrough could be imminent, the White House indicated that significant disagreements remain over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz, frozen Iranian assets and security guarantees.
According to administration officials, Trump entered the meeting intending to make a “final determination” on the next phase of negotiations. However, discussions concluded without any formal agreement.
A White House official said the president would only approve an arrangement that satisfies America’s key conditions.
“President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines. Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” the official said.
Reports suggest that negotiations remain active, with both sides continuing to exchange messages through diplomatic channels.
One of the biggest sticking points remains Iran’s nuclear programme.
Washington is demanding that Iran halt uranium enrichment activities and surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. According to international estimates, Iran possesses hundreds of kilograms of uranium enriched to levels significantly closer to weapons-grade material.
Tehran, however, has indicated that discussions are currently focused on ending hostilities rather than addressing technical details of uranium enrichment.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said no final agreement had been reached and emphasised that negotiations remain ongoing.
Iran has also pushed back against US demands concerning the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes.
While Washington has called for the reopening of shipping routes and the removal of mines, Iranian officials maintain that management of the waterway is a matter for Iran and Oman.
Another major point of contention is the release of frozen Iranian assets.
Iranian media reports suggest Tehran is seeking access to billions of dollars in overseas funds as part of any future agreement, while Trump has publicly stated that no money would be released at this stage.
Tehran is also demanding guarantees that any new agreement would be honoured by future US administrations, citing Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal during Trump’s first term.
Iranian parliamentary figure Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf adopted a hardline tone following the talks, declaring that Iran gains concessions through strength rather than negotiations and warning that Tehran would not act first.
The latest diplomatic impasse comes despite a fragile ceasefire that emerged after weeks of military escalation between the United States and Iran.
Both sides have continued accusing each other of violating ceasefire understandings, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz and southern Iranian coastal areas.
With energy markets closely watching developments and regional tensions remaining high, the absence of a breakthrough suggests negotiations could remain difficult and unpredictable in the weeks ahead.
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No world leader with such a huge military might has ever got himself in such a deep shit. Undoubtedly Iran with Nukes will be a threat to the non-Islamic world and has to be stopped. But will a street side thug be able to do it? Despite the economic damage done to the world he has not achieved his goal now will his arrogance force him to cause physical damage to the world?