The White House has strongly rejected a report from Iranian state media claiming a draft agreement has been reached between Washington and Tehran over the ongoing conflict, calling the document a “fabrication.”
Iranian state television had earlier reported that a memorandum of understanding under negotiation would see the United States withdraw military forces from areas near Iran and lift restrictions on Iranian ports.
In return, Iran would resume higher levels of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route.
But U.S. officials dismissed the claim outright, saying no such deal has been finalised and warning the public not to trust Iranian state media.
“This report is not true. The so-called MOU they released is completely fabricated,” the White House Rapid Response account said on X, adding that “FACTS MATTER.”
A White House spokesperson later said negotiations were still ongoing, stressing that any agreement must guarantee Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon.
Despite the denial, some elements of the Iranian report appear loosely aligned with earlier U.S. descriptions of talks, particularly the idea of easing maritime restrictions if commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump used a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to signal he is in no hurry to strike a deal, saying Iran’s strategy of waiting him out will not succeed.
“They thought they were going to outwait me,” Trump said. “I don’t care about the midterms.”
He suggested the United States could still walk away from negotiations if terms are not favourable, warning that military action remains an option.
“We’re not satisfied with it but we will be,” he said. “Otherwise, we’ll have to just finish the job.”
Trump also pointed to the partial restoration of internet access in Iran as evidence that pressure on Tehran is working, claiming the country’s economic system is weakening.
In a separate remark, Trump also ruled out sanctions relief in exchange for Iran handing over highly enriched uranium, pushing back on speculation about possible concessions in the emerging framework.
“No, not at all,” he said when asked if sanctions relief was being considered as part of the arrangement.
