Iran Rejects U.S. Denial, Trump Threatens Oman Over Strait Control

Iran's state broadcaster, IRIB, published what it described as an initial, unofficial draft of a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran on May 27, outlining terms to end the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict ^[1][2]. The White House Rapid Response team moved quickly to reject the document, posting on X that "this report from Iranian-controlled media is not true, and the MOU they 'released' is a complete fabrication" ^[7]. The conflicting claims emerged as President Donald Trump convened a Cabinet meeting to discuss negotiations, underscoring the significant gap between what each government says is on the table ^[7][9].

According to IRIB, the draft framework called for Iran to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within 30 days, in exchange for the United States lifting its naval blockade and withdrawing military forces deployed to the region since the conflict began Feb. 28 ^[1][10]. The status of personnel at pre-existing U.S. regional bases would remain subject to further negotiation ^[3][10]. The draft also envisioned Iran and Oman jointly managing Hormuz transit, while excluding military vessels from the arrangement ^[1][3]. A separate provision stated that if a final agreement were reached within 60 days, it could be codified as a binding U.N. Security Council resolution ^[3][10]. Critically, the draft contained no provisions addressing Iran's nuclear program or its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, ^[3][7] even though preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon has been publicly stated as a core U.S. objective and one of the primary justifications for U.S. military involvement ^[10].

The omission of nuclear issues carries significant procedural weight. The Trump administration has consistently held that any durable agreement must address Iran's enrichment activities. White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told reporters that Trump "has made his red lines very clear," and that any acceptable deal "must ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon" ^[4]. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at the same Cabinet session, acknowledged movement in the talks but declined to confirm any specifics, saying he sees "some progress" and that Washington would know "over the next few hours and days" whether more could be made ^[8][11]. The U.S. had previously launched strikes inside Iran on Monday, which Tehran characterized as a sign of bad faith and an obstacle to continued negotiations ^[12].

Pakistan has played a central mediating role in the indirect talks between Washington and Tehran since hostilities began in February ^[4]. Separately, according to reporting by Axios, the current U.S. framework under discussion would have the administration lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports if Iran reopens the strait and removes mines it has placed there, with a ceasefire extension of 60 days to follow ^[8]. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the proposed MOU allocates 30 days for Strait of Hormuz procedures and 60 days for nuclear talks, but that Tehran has not yet accepted any conditions on its nuclear program ^[6]. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the draft as a "framework agreement" that would establish broad principles before specifics are negotiated ^[6].

Trump, at the Cabinet meeting, flatly rejected the premise of any arrangement in which Iran and Oman would exercise sovereign or administrative control over Hormuz, which handles more than 20 percent of the world's global oil traffic ^[13]. "Nobody is going to control it," Trump said, asserting the waterway constitutes international waters ^[13]. Asked directly whether he would accept a short-term deal allowing Iran and Oman to co-manage the strait, Trump issued a direct warning toward Oman, a U.S. partner that has served as a diplomatic back-channel throughout the negotiations: "Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up," adding that "they understand that" and "they'll be fine" ^[13][14]. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker had separately warned that a rumored 60-day ceasefire would be a "disaster," signaling Republican skepticism on Capitol Hill toward any arrangement that does not immediately address Iran's nuclear posture ^[14]. Trump also ruled out immediate sanctions relief for Tehran and said the U.S. would not allow China or Russia to take custody of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile ^[8][10].