Iran has pushed back against claims by Donald Trump that it agreed to surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium as part of a peace deal, insisting that negotiations remain ongoing and far from finalized.
Officials in Tehran said talks with the United States are still in early stages and could take weeks, contradicting Trump’s assertion that key issues had already been resolved. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that no such concession on nuclear material has been agreed upon.
READ: Iran says Strait of Hormuz “open but closed to enemies” as conflict intesifies
At the same time, both sides signaled a tentative easing of tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes.
Araghchi announced that the waterway is “completely open” following a ceasefire linked to regional fighting, while Trump also confirmed its reopening. However, the US president maintained that a naval blockade targeting Iran would remain in place until a broader agreement is reached.
READ: Unable to accept defeat, Trump orders naval blockade of Hormuz
Mixed messaging has continued to cloud the situation. While Iranian officials declared the strait open, reports from Iranian state-linked media suggested that transit may still be restricted and subject to approval, particularly for certain vessels.
Meanwhile, leaders from around 40 countries met in Paris, led by France’s Emmanuel Macron and the United Kingdom’s Keir Starmer, to discuss securing maritime navigation once hostilities fully subside. Proposals included a multinational mission focused on intelligence-sharing, mine clearance, and escort operations.
European leaders stressed that any reopening must be “full, immediate and unconditional,” warning against attempts to impose tolls or restrictions that could effectively control access to the strait.
The stakes remain high for the global economy. Disruptions to shipping through Hormuz in recent weeks have already driven fuel prices upward worldwide.
