American-Iranian Divergence on Understandings: Trump Talks About Hormuz and Nuclear, While Tehran Denies

SadaNews - U.S. President Donald Trump announced today, Friday, a series of positions and statements regarding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that Tehran must agree to never possess a weapon or nuclear bomb, emphasizing that this condition is essential in the upcoming phase.

Trump stated that the maritime blockade would be lifted "now," and that the Strait of Hormuz must be opened immediately to maritime navigation without imposing any transit fees in both directions, adding that ships stuck in the strait due to the blockade that "will be lifted now" can begin their journey back to their homelands.

He indicated that all sea mines, if any exist, will be removed, stating that the United States has already destroyed many of them, and that Iran should complete the immediate removal of the remaining ones.

Trump added that the "nuclear dust buried deep in the ground" will be extracted, without providing further details about this phrase.

He also confirmed that "no money will be exchanged with Iran until further notice," announcing at the same time that he would head to the operations room to make the "final decision."

Meanwhile, the Iranian news agency "Fars" reported on Friday evening that the understanding with the United States does not include the opening of the Strait of Hormuz without transit fees, contrary to what U.S. President Donald Trump announced in his recent statements.

The agency added, quoting informed Iranian sources, that Tehran will not enter the next phase concerning sanctions and the nuclear file before resolving the issues outlined in the memorandum of understanding.

The agency also cited Iranian officials stating that the final agreement will be framed based on Iranian red lines and in light of the continued lack of trust in the U.S., noting that it will include a mechanism for taking countermeasures and immediate action in case Washington fails to meet its commitments.

In this context, the "Mehr" news agency quoted an Iranian official saying that U.S. President Donald Trump's recent statements "reflect more of a wish than reality."

For its part, the "Tasnim" agency, citing Iranian sources, indicated that no final understanding has been reached between Iran and the United States yet, considering that Trump's statements fall within his usual pattern of expressing unilateral opinions.

The same sources added that the claims made by Trump and some U.S. media regarding the Iranian nuclear file "lack a basis," confirming that the discussion at this stage does not address any details related to the nuclear file.

"Tasnim" also pointed out that Trump's insistence on not releasing frozen Iranian assets increases Tehran's suspicions about Washington's seriousness, adding that his statements regarding lifting the maritime blockade on Iran should be viewed with skepticism.

The sources confirmed that Tehran has repeatedly emphasized the need to clarify the status of frozen Iranian assets before reaching any preliminary understanding with the United States.

In contrast, the "Axios" website quoted U.S. officials saying that the anticipated agreement with Iran will also include a ceasefire in Lebanon, in addition to the understandings regarding sanctions and the nuclear program.

The agency also refuted Trump's statement regarding Tehran's agreement to destroy its enriched nuclear materials, confirming that such a provision is not part of the understandings reached between the two sides, reflecting the ongoing divergence between the U.S. and Iranian narratives concerning the details and outcomes of the agreement.