Trump: The Strait of Hormuz will not be controlled by any party, the United States will monitor it, and Iran will not have sanctions lifted even if it abandons highly enriched uranium.
Negotiations between the US and Iran over the memorandum of understanding are ongoing, but deep divisions in their positions are gradually emerging.
According to reports, the White House on Wednesday, May 27, Eastern time, denied a draft memorandum disclosed earlier that day by Iranian state media, calling it "fabricated." According to CCTV News, the White House said that US-Iran negotiations are "progressing smoothly," and Trump has clearly drawn "red lines" for the talks. The Trump administration’s position has always been clear: any agreement must ensure that Iran cannot obtain nuclear weapons.
According to CCTV, Trump said in an interview with US media on Wednesday that even if Iran gives up highly enriched uranium, it would not result in the US lifting sanctions. Trump also emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz will be open to all parties, no party will control it, and the US will play a monitoring role.
Amidst diplomatic noise and tough statements, the final framework for the US-Iran nuclear negotiations remains highly uncertain, and the market remains cautious on whether geopolitical tensions will really cool down.
Trump: Giving up highly enriched uranium does not trade for sanctions relief
According to reports, Trump stated clearly in a phone interview with US media on Wednesday that Iran's abandonment of highly enriched uranium reserves will not result in US sanctions relief.
"No, it will not, absolutely not. It’s not an exchange for sanctions relief," Trump said, emphasizing that Iran abandoning highly enriched uranium is "absolutely not" in exchange for sanctions relief.
This statement shows a clear gap from the general expectation outside about the negotiating framework. Highly enriched uranium is considered the most controversial core issue in Iran’s nuclear program; if abandoning the project does not bring substantive sanctions relief, Iran’s political space to accept the agreement will be severely compressed.
White House denies draft contents disclosed by Iranian state media
According to CCTV, Iranian media disclosed a "preliminary unofficial document" on Wednesday, the 27th, local time, concerning the framework of the Iran-US memorandum of understanding, involving issues such as the Strait of Hormuz, regional military deployments, and future agreement arrangements.
According to the document, the US will promise to lift the "maritime blockade" against Iran and withdraw some military forces deployed around Iran. In exchange, Iran will gradually restore commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-escalation levels within one month, but military vessels are not included. Vessel traffic management and route arrangements will be jointly coordinated by Iran and Oman.
The draft also states that if the US and Iran can reach a final agreement within 60 days, the related contents may be confirmed in the form of a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.
The White House immediately posted on social media platform X to refute, stating: "This report from Iranian state media is untrue, the memorandum they 'disclosed' is completely fabricated, and no one should trust Iranian state media contents."
US media pointed out that some contents of the draft exposed by Iranian media are somewhat similar to previous US officials' descriptions of negotiation progress. US officials had said that as long as Iran allows commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump is willing to consider lifting the blockade.
White House: Trump draws red lines, agreement must ensure Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons
According to US media, White House spokesperson Olivia Wales responded to the Iranian state media report: "As President Trump said, negotiations are proceeding smoothly, and he has clearly drawn red lines. President Trump will only reach a good agreement for the American people, and that agreement must ensure Iran can never possess nuclear weapons."
According to CCTV News, negotiations are currently being mediated by Pakistan, and the memorandum is seen as a roadmap for further negotiations on issues such as Iran’s nuclear program and international sanctions in the future. The Iranian side also emphasized that until "real, verifiable" inspections are completed, Iran will not take any practical actions. The negotiations are still at the stage where both sides are constantly refining the wording of the draft, and the final framework has not yet been determined.
Trump warns Oman, emphasizes control of the Strait of Hormuz
According to reports, Trump also made strong statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz on the same day, saying the strait will be open to everyone, and warned Oman to behave or risk US bombing.
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would be open to all. No one will control the Strait of Hormuz, and the US will monitor the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global oil transport channel, and control over it is one of the key contentious issues in US-Iran negotiations. The draft disclosed by Iranian state media stated that vessel management and route arrangements in the strait would be coordinated by Iran and Oman—this directly contradicts Trump’s above statements and further highlights that substantive differences remain over core clauses.
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