ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is not yet “satisfied” with Iran’s proposals for a deal, after Iranian state television published details of what it claimed was a draft agreement between Tehran and Washington.
“Iran is very much intent; they want very much to make a deal. So far, they haven't gotten there. We're not satisfied with it, but we will be,” Trump told reporters following a cabinet meeting.
“Either that or we'll have to just finish the job,” Trump added, referring to the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28 that was halted by a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire on April 8 to allow negotiations toward a permanent truce.
Earlier Wednesday, the White House dismissed a reported proposal circulated by Iranian state television, calling it “completely fabricated.” Iranian state media published what it described as a draft memorandum of understanding with Washington.
According to the reported document, the US would end its naval blockade on Iran as part of a broader agreement.
The proposal also indicated that Iran would lift restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, restoring full maritime traffic through the strategic waterway and potentially easing global energy prices.
Iran and the US have engaged in tit-for-tat maritime measures in the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the war.
Despite the ceasefire, Tehran has continued restricting movement through the waterway — which carries roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments — while reportedly imposing tolls on commercial vessels passing through it.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has continued enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports, contributing to major disruptions in Iran’s economy amid reports of shortages of raw materials across the country.CENTCOM announced Wednesday that US forces have redirected 109 commercial vessels attempting to reach Iran.
Following the cabinet meeting, Trump said a potential framework agreement with Tehran would require the Strait of Hormuz to reopen immediately and remain outside the control of any single country.
“We'll watch over it, but nobody's going to control it. That's part of the negotiation that we have. They would like to control it. Nobody's going to control it,” Trump said.