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Uncertainty Builds Over US-Iran Draft Agreement

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Conflicting claims emerged Friday over a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, with President Donald Trump rejecting Tehran's statements on the deal's terms.

US President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Friday that Iran had inaccurately portrayed the terms discussed between the two sides.

"The terms that Iran leaked out to the fake news have nothing to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing," he posted on Truth Social.

On Thursday, Trump described the US-Iran deal as a "great settlement," adding that the agreement could be finalized within days.

In his latest post on Friday, Trump criticized Iranian officials, saying they have not demonstrated a willingness to negotiate in good faith.

He added that Iran's remarks on the deal "bears no relation to the truth."

Iranian state media, including IRNA, Mehr News Agency, and Tasnim, reported Friday that the draft interim agreement, likely to be called the Islamabad agreement, aims to bring a complete end to the war, including in Lebanon.

Under the reported deal, the memorandum reportedly mentions "the normalization of maritime traffic" in the Strait of Hormuz and also an end to the US maritime blockade.

The strait's management would not return to its prewar status, and Tehran will not surrender control of the critical waterway to the US, according to the reports.

On the nuclear front, Iran would continue to engage in nuclear talks to firm up a framework, and the draft also calls for the immediate release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets upon signing, according to Iranian state media.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to' request for comment.

However, a senior Trump official reportedly made contradictory remarks saying that the agreement also includes points on dismantling Iran's nuclear program and ending Iran's support for proxy groups, contradicting Iranian media reports, according to CNN.

Shortly after Trump's remarks Thursday, Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported that Tehran has not approved any draft agreement or initial memorandum with the US, citing a source familiar with the negotiations.

Meanwhile, tensions continue in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Central Command said Friday that they have redirected a total of 136 vessels and disabled nine others under the Iran blockade in the Persian Gulf.

"US Navy warships and air assets continue to patrol regional waters enforcing the blockade against Iran," US Central Command said Friday in a post on X.

The operation forms part of the US blockade against Iran launched on April 13, which Trump has said will stay in effect until a deal is signed.

"As of today, US forces have redirected 136 and disabled 9 to ensure compliance," Centcom added.

In his latest post on Friday, Trump also condemned a reported drone attack targeting Indian ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz, saying, "... their totally rebuffed drone attack last night against Indian ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is totally unacceptable. They better get their act together, and fast!" Trump said.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has closed the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels, citing regional insecurity due to US aggression, according to state media reports.

Oil prices dropped on Friday amid uncertainty over a potential US-Iran agreement. Brent crude fell 3.5% to $87.18 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude declined 3.4% to $84.75/bbl.

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