In brief
- Iran was already in talks with the United States in February when the US and Israel attacked the country.
- Iran has said it needs the release of some of its frozen assets before engaging in substantive talks on its nuclear program.
In a stark reminder of the enduring tensions between Iran and the United States, Iran’s chief negotiator has issued a cautionary statement, asserting that the U.S. remains an untrustworthy negotiating partner. He emphasized that his government would not consent to any agreement unless it unequivocally safeguarded Iran’s rights.
These remarks from Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf surfaced as reports indicated that U.S. President Donald Trump had dispatched a more stringent peace proposal back to Iran. This development highlights the significant gaps that persist between the two nations, which they must bridge to reach a consensus.
Adjustments to the proposed agreement could potentially prolong the process of formally concluding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This comes after weeks of tense negotiations, characterized by heated exchanges and sporadic outbursts of violence.
Earlier in February, Iran was engaged in discussions with the U.S. concerning its nuclear program when the U.S. and Israel executed air and missile strikes that decimated much of Iran’s senior leadership. The scenario repeated in June 2025, as the U.S. targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities amidst ongoing negotiations.
While Iran maintains that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes, the U.S. and its allies remain skeptical, contending that Iran’s ultimate goal is to develop nuclear weapons.
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US media outlets — The New York Times and Axios — reported on Sunday AEST that Trump had sent back a “tougher” new framework for Iran to consider, though details remain unclear.
Trump has said his priorities include stopping Iran from developing any nuclear weapons and reopening the Hormuz shipping lane, which Iran has blockaded since the war began.
“The one guarantee that I have to have is that there will be no nuclear weapons. They’ve agreed to that, and it was very interesting,” he told his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, in an interview on her show on US broadcaster Fox News.
Iran, however, has previously cast doubt on Trump’s assertions and the sides remain far apart on key issues.
“We will not approve any agreement until we are certain that the rights of the Iranian people have been upheld,” Ghalibaf said in a video broadcast.
According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, exchanges on the text “are ongoing, with both parties regularly proposing amendments”.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, said that “until a clear conclusion is reached … everything that is being said now is speculation”, according to Iranian media.
Iran has said it needs the release of US$12 billion ($16.7 billion) in frozen assets before engaging in substantive talks on its nuclear program, dismissing earlier Trump comments that its enriched uranium stockpile would be destroyed as “baseless”.
Donald Trump under pressure to secure a deal
One of the US’ stated war aims was the destruction of Iran’s ballistic missile program, with General Dan Caine — the top US military officer — estimating in April that more than 80 per cent of its missile facilities had been struck.
But CNN reported overnight that an analysis of satellite imagery showed Tehran has since been able to excavate 50 out of 69 tunnel entrances hit by US strikes at 18 underground missile sites.
Though daily strikes throughout Iran and the Gulf halted after Tehran and Washington agreed to a temporary ceasefire in April, there have been sporadic attacks.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had shot down a US military drone “about to enter Iranian territorial waters”, Iranian broadcaster IRIB reported, though Washington has not confirmed the incident.
Trump is under pressure to secure a deal that would lift competing US and Iranian blockades around the Strait of Hormuz which have strangled a vital route for global oil supplies.
After Trump said Iran would charge “no tolls” on ships passing through the strait under any deal, Iranian news agency Fars cited sources saying “no such clause” existed.
On Saturday, Iran’s ISNA news agency quoted Iranian politician Alireza Salimi as saying a plan for Iranian “management and sovereignty” over the Strait — including imposing “administrative fees” — would soon go before parliament.
‘Dramatic shift’ in Lebanon front
Iran has insisted that any peace deal include Lebanon, where fierce fighting continues, with the Lebanese government accusing Israel of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy” as it expands operations against Hezbollah.
A truce between Israel and Hezbollah formally started on 17 April but it has never been observed, with both sides accusing each other of violating it.
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday AEST on the widening Israeli offensive following its capture of the medieval castle of Beaufort, also known as Qalaat al-Chakif, diplomatic sources told Agence France-Presse.
The meeting was requested by France, whose president Emmanuel Macron said “nothing justifies the major escalation underway in south Lebanon”, calling for an end to fighting “for good”.
Smoke billowed from the surrounding area on Sunday as the Israeli flag was seen above the castle, which Israel used as a base during their previous two-decade occupation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the retaking of Beaufort “a dramatic shift”.
Hezbollah politician Hassan Fadlallah said the castle “was not a military site”, adding that the raising of the Israeli flag there “should provoke the feelings of every loyal patriot”.
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