Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is prepared to reassure the world it is not pursuing nuclear weapons as U.S. officials report major progress toward a Trump-brokered agreement involving uranium removal, sanctions relief, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that Tehran is prepared to demonstrate to the international community that it is not seeking nuclear weapons, as negotiations with the Trump administration reportedly move closer to a formal agreement involving Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and future nuclear restrictions.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that an agreement with Iran had been “largely negotiated,” though he indicated final terms were still under discussion and would not yet be publicly disclosed.
In remarks reported by the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, Pezeshkian said Iran remained willing to prove it does not intend to develop nuclear weapons.
“Prior to the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s late Leader, we declared—and we reiterate now—that we are ready to assure the world we do not seek nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian said.
He also claimed Iran does not seek instability in the region, although he did not specify what concrete steps Tehran would take to demonstrate compliance.
Separately, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed negotiations with the United States were approaching the memorandum stage.
“We are in the stage of finalizing a memorandum of understanding, and the issues being discussed, as I mentioned before, are generally focused on ending the war,” Baqaei said in comments carried by IRNA.
Baqaei attempted to minimize suggestions that Iran’s nuclear program itself was central to the negotiations.
“We know that our nuclear issue has been a pretext for two wars against the Iranian people,” he said. “We responsibly and wisely decided to prioritize and focus at this stage on an issue that is urgent for all of us, which is ending the war on all fronts — I emphasize, including Lebanon.”
Despite those public comments, multiple reports indicated U.S. negotiators believe Iran has privately agreed in principle to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and abandon efforts toward nuclear weapons development.
According to CBS News reporter Jennifer Jacobs, U.S. officials believe Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has agreed to key principles presented by the White House, including disposal of enriched uranium.
A New York Times report, citing two U.S. officials, stated Iran verbally agreed to relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, although details regarding how the material would leave the country remain unresolved.
Officials familiar with the negotiations reportedly said portions of the uranium could be diluted while other quantities may be transferred abroad, with Russia reportedly offering to take custody of some material.
Iran currently possesses approximately 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity, according to international monitoring agencies, placing it near weapons-grade capability.
An additional Axios report stated the United States and Iran are negotiating a 60-day memorandum of understanding that would temporarily pause hostilities while broader negotiations continue.
Under the reported framework, Iran would agree to stop pursuing nuclear weapons, negotiate an end to uranium enrichment, and surrender its stockpile of enriched material.
In exchange, the United States would reportedly begin negotiating phased sanctions relief, release frozen Iranian assets, and gradually ease restrictions tied to Iran’s oil exports.
The agreement would also reportedly reopen the Strait of Hormuz, contingent upon Iran removing naval mines and restoring maritime access through the critical shipping corridor.
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly 20% of global seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas traffic and has remained heavily disrupted since fighting escalated earlier this year.
The memorandum reportedly also includes provisions involving Lebanon and the Iran-backed militant organization Hezbollah.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday during a diplomatic trip to India that negotiations had produced meaningful progress, though he stressed any agreement would require full Iranian compliance.
“The ultimate goal is that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” Rubio said in comments reported by ABC News.
“We think we’ve made some progress on the outline of something that, if it works, could give us that outcome,” Rubio said.
Rubio also defended Trump against criticism from skeptics concerned the administration could accept a weak agreement.
“The idea that somehow this president, given everything he’s already proven he’s willing to do, is going to somehow agree to a deal that ultimately winds up putting Iran in a stronger position when it comes to nuclear ambitions is absurd,” Rubio said.
Trump reiterated Sunday that negotiations were progressing but insisted the United States would not rush the process.
“The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
“The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed,” he added.
Trump also repeated that Iran would not be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons under any agreement.
“Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes!” Trump wrote. “They must understand, however, that they cannot develop or procure a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb.”
Regional governments in the Middle East publicly welcomed signs of progress toward an agreement.
In a statement posted Sunday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said leaders speaking with Trump expressed appreciation for his diplomatic efforts and commitment to regional coordination, according to a statement posted on X.
Although no final agreement has been formally announced, officials involved in the negotiations suggested the framework could establish the foundation for a broader settlement involving Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions, regional conflicts, and maritime security in the Persian Gulf.
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