Iran Demands U.S. Action As Trump Weighs Ceasefire Deal

Iranian negotiators on Friday insisted that Tehran would judge the United States by its actions rather than its statements, even as optimism grew over a possible agreement to extend a ceasefire and open the door to broader peace talks in the Middle East.

U.S. officials told AFP that a draft deal is awaiting final approval from President Donald Trump after weeks of negotiations aimed at de-escalating tensions that have disrupted global markets and destabilised the region.

Trump said he would meet advisers in the Situation Room to make a “final determination” on the proposed agreement. In a post on social media, he reiterated Washington’s position that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and should reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.

He also claimed Tehran would remove mines from the waterway, while the United States would ease its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Trump added that both sides would cooperate on removing and destroying Iran’s enriched uranium, though it remained unclear which terms had been agreed or were still under negotiation.

However, Iranian officials expressed continued distrust of Washington’s intentions.

In a phone call with Oman’s foreign minister, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said any final agreement depended on the United States abandoning what he described as “excessive demands” and inconsistent negotiating positions.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also voiced scepticism, saying Tehran had gained leverage “through missiles, not talks.”

“We place no trust in guarantees or words; only actions matter. No step will be taken before the other side acts first,” Ghalibaf wrote on X.

Earlier, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said significant progress had been made in talks with Tehran, raising hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough.

Markets reacted cautiously to the developments, with Asian stocks gaining and oil prices easing slightly on expectations that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could eventually resume. The waterway is a critical global energy route that has been affected by the ongoing tensions.

Despite signs of progress, Iranian authorities have not confirmed any final agreement, while state-linked media said no memorandum of understanding had been finalised and that drafts had been repeatedly revised in recent days.