Trump Sends Iran Nuclear Deal Back to Tehran with Tougher Conditions

What the Framework Agreement Contains

The framework agreement, negotiated over weeks under Pakistani mediation, reportedly includes a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, and the opening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

According to US media, only Trump's signature was missing from the agreement as of Friday. The United States expressed a restrained stance after earlier reports of an imminent agreement.

Iran's chief negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammed-Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran will only sign an agreement once concrete concessions are secured. The statement was reported by the state news agency IRNA.

Iran's Demands and Response

Ghalibaf said Tehran would not agree to any deal that does not safeguard the rights of the Iranian people. The concrete concession sought by Iran is apparently the release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian funds held in foreign accounts.

The framework agreement was designed to address long-standing tensions between Washington and Tehran, including Iran's advancing nuclear program and regional security concerns. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been a focal point of the negotiations.

Uncertainty Ahead

The last-minute demand for tougher conditions by Trump introduces new uncertainty into a process that had appeared close to completion. Analysts note that the Pakistani-mediated talks had been seen as a rare diplomatic breakthrough in a region marked by deep mistrust.

The White House has not provided a timeline for when or if negotiations might resume. The restrained US stance suggests that Washington is leaving room for further diplomacy, but the path forward remains unclear.

The situation is being closely watched by international observers, given the potential implications for global energy markets and Middle Eastern stability. The release of frozen Iranian funds remains a key sticking point, with Tehran linking it directly to any final agreement.