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Trump did not reach a final decision on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 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 suggested that a major breakthrough with Tehran could be imminent, outlining what he described as elements of a possible agreement involving the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear activities, and broader regional security arrangements.
However, despite the lengthy discussion among senior national security and foreign policy officials, no final approval was given for a new deal, the official said.
According to the administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions, the White House believes negotiations are approaching a critical stage and that an agreement may be within reach. Nevertheless, several important issues remain unresolved and continue to prevent a final settlement.
Among the most significant outstanding points is the question of frozen Iranian assets.
The issue of whether, when, and under what conditions Iranian funds held abroad would be unfrozen has emerged as one of the principal obstacles in the final phase of negotiations. Iranian officials have repeatedly indicated that access to blocked assets and broader sanctions relief are essential components of any agreement, while US officials have debated the political and strategic implications of releasing funds to Tehran.
The administration’s assessment contrasts with some of Trump’s recent public statements, which suggested that a framework had largely been agreed upon and that only final procedural steps remained. The official’s account indicates that while substantial progress may have been made, negotiators have yet to bridge all remaining differences.
The disclosure also comes amid conflicting public messaging from Washington and Tehran. Iranian officials have insisted that no final agreement has been concluded and have emphasized that current discussions remain focused primarily on ending the conflict rather than negotiating long-term nuclear arrangements.
At the same time, both sides have signaled that diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent weeks, raising expectations that a broader understanding could eventually emerge. Negotiators are reportedly working through issues involving regional security, maritime access in the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions, frozen assets, and the sequencing of commitments by both governments.
While the White House remains optimistic that an agreement is close, the senior official said the negotiations have not yet reached the point where Trump is prepared to sign off on a final deal. Until the remaining disputes, particularly over Iranian funds, are resolved, the prospect of a comprehensive US-Iran agreement remains uncertain.
The latest developments suggest that diplomacy between Washington and Tehran may be entering its most decisive phase, with both sides appearing closer to an agreement than at any point in recent months, yet still divided on several issues that could determine whether a final accord is ultimately achieved.
