Iran Says Washington Retreated on Key Understandings After Trump’s Deal Claim
According to Axios, the New York Times, U.S. officials, Trump, and Iran, the sides reached framework-level progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but no final signed deal exists and the blockade remains in force amid renewed disputes.
Axios and the New York Times reported framework-level progress in U.S.-Iran talks, including an in-principle understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and, according to Axios citing a U.S. official, approval of the overall framework by Iran’s Supreme Leader. President Trump said the deal was "largely negotiated" and that the Strait of Hormuz blockade would remain until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed. However, U.S. officials said no final deal was signed, several issues remained unresolved, and formal approval could still take several more days or fail entirely. In a later development, Iran said Washington retreated from key understandings only hours after Trump’s claim, suggesting renewed friction or a possible reversal in the talks. Iran also said conditions in the strait would not return to their prewar state even if a deal is reached, though ship traffic could recover to prewar levels within 30 days. A later operational update said U.S. forces were firing warning shots near Iranian ports on June 24 while Windward reported no clear change in transit conditions. Prediction market odds for a May agreement rose from 6.5% on May 24 to 25.5% on May 26 despite the absence of a signed deal.
- Strait of Hormuz: A narrow maritime passage linking the Persian Gulf to global shipping lanes and one of the world’s most important energy transit chokepoints.
- Framework agreement: A broad outline of key terms that signals political alignment before final details are completed and a final agreement is signed.
- Warning shots: Shots fired as a signal to deter or redirect a vessel without directly targeting it, often used in maritime security operations.