On June 12, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei disputed US President Donald Trump’s remarks on a “great settlement,” and said Tehran had “not reached a final conclusion” on any agreement. Baqaei cited “contradictory and changing positions” by Washington as the reason for current negotiation instability.
Iranian state media outlet Fars News denied that any memorandum of understanding had been approved. Tasnim News noted that Trump has announced imminent deals with Iran 38 times over the past two months, underscoring the deep skepticism in Tehran about Washington’s declarations.
On the ground, it was an apparent violation of any ceasefire. Early on June 12, US forces downed two Iranian attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran’s forces attempted to fire on a transiting vessel. A US defense official confirmed that traffic through the strait continued following the intercept. The naval blockade is still intact.
Trump, meanwhile, held firm on his position. He told reporters that they had reached a “very strong memorandum of understanding” which included a 60-day ceasefire extension, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and continued nuclear talks. He confirmed the deal was also endorsed by Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, and other Gulf states.
