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Trump did not reach a final decision on the memorandum of understanding with Iran during a nearly two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room, according to a senior administration official familiar with the deliberations.
The meeting came after Trump publicly indicated that a major breakthrough with Tehran may be imminent, and outlined what he described as elements of a potential agreement that would include the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear activities and broader regional security arrangements.
However, despite lengthy discussions among senior national security and foreign policy officials, final approval for a new deal has not been given, the official said.
According to the administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions, the White House believes that negotiations are approaching a critical stage and that an agreement may be within reach. However, many important issues remain unresolved and continue to prevent a final settlement.
One of the most prominent sticking points is the issue of frozen Iranian assets.
The question of whether, when and under what circumstances Iranian funds held abroad will be unfrozen has emerged as one of the major hurdles in the final phase of negotiations. Iranian officials have repeatedly indicated that access to frozen assets and broader sanctions relief are key components of any agreement, while US officials have discussed the political and strategic ramifications of releasing funds to Tehran.
The administration’s assessment contradicts some of Trump’s recent public statements, which indicated that the framework had been largely agreed upon and only final procedural steps remained. The official’s account indicates that although significant progress has been made, negotiators have not yet been able to bridge all remaining differences.
This revelation also comes amid conflicting public messages from Washington and Tehran. Iranian officials have insisted that no final agreement has been reached and stressed that current discussions remain primarily focused on ending the conflict rather than negotiating long-term nuclear arrangements.
At the same time, both sides noted the intensification of diplomatic efforts in recent weeks, raising expectations that a broader understanding could eventually be reached. Negotiators are reportedly working on issues related to regional security, maritime access to the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions, frozen assets, and the sequence of obligations of the two governments.
While the White House remains optimistic that an agreement is close, the senior official said negotiations have not yet reached the point where Trump is ready to sign a final agreement. Until the remaining disputes are resolved, especially over Iranian funds, the prospect of a comprehensive agreement between the United States and Iran remains uncertain.
Recent developments suggest that diplomacy between Washington and Tehran may be entering its most decisive phase, with both sides appearing closer to an agreement than ever in recent months, yet remaining divided on several issues that could determine whether a final agreement is ultimately reached.
