US and Iran Deadlocked as Trump Claims Private Agreement, Tehran Denies It

Negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz have hit new obstacles as Washington and Tehran exchange competing demands, raising fresh doubts about ending their five-month conflict. President Trump said the US would seek compensation from Iran for deaths and injuries linked to conflicts spanning decades, citing the 2000 USS Cole attack and Iranian protesters killed during unrest earlier this year, along with damages tied to Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza. His remarks followed Iran’s own demand that Washington pay for damage caused during recent US and Israeli strikes.

Trump Claims Private Progress, Iran Pushes Back

President Trump has now said Iran privately agrees to a deal but refuses to admit it publicly, a claim that stands in sharp contrast to Tehran’s repeated public position. Iran has firmly stated the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until its conditions are fully met, listing six specific demands through its Supreme National Security Council, including an end to US threats, a permanent halt to attacks on Iran and its allies, lifting the naval blockade, war compensation, sanctions relief, and the release of frozen assets.

Oman Talks Progress While Direct Contact Stays Disputed

Iran maintains it is negotiating shipping arrangements directly only with Oman, describing those talks as nearing their final stages, while insisting any communication with Washington happens solely through intermediaries. Oil prices jumped more than 5% following Trump’s compensation demands and continued climbing as hopes for a resolution faded, with analysts noting the two sides appear to be drifting further apart rather than closer to a settlement.