Iranian state news agency IRNA said on Friday that the terms of a draft agreement with the U.S. does not include giving up control of the Hormuz Strait, which Tehran is seeking to control following the war.
"Iran makes no commitment in this text to cede the management of the strait or the restoration of conditions that existed prior to the American and Israeli military aggression," the news agency said. The country has been seeking to charge ships transiting through the key waterway as a way to seek compensation for damages sustained in the war.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry also said on Friday that a deal has not been signed. The remarks are more muted that those given by President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday he was calling off planned attacks as a deal was all but reached.
"Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening. Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others. The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized — Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly," Trump said in a social media publication.
IRNA also said that Tehran won't give up its right to enrich uranium in any deal with the U.S. Negotiations on the country's nuclear program would begin after the signing of a memorandum of understanding to end the war, which Trump said could be sign as early as this weekend.
"Issues such as Iran's right to enrich uranium and the retention of enriched material by the Islamic Republic of Iran will be emphasized with a view to their inclusion in the final agreement," the news agency noted.
The memorandum would extend a ceasefire for 60 days, including in Lebanon, when nuclear negotiations would be held. Two sources familiar with the matter told Axios that the deal had been approved by high-ranking Iranian officials but not yet by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
