Donald Trump has issued a fresh update on efforts to secure an agreement between the US and Iran, as a fragile ceasefire and interim memorandum of understanding continue to hold the region together after weeks of conflict. But his latest remarks also included renewed threats if Tehran refuses to cooperate.
Speaking at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, Trump said the agreement with Iran is still only an interim memorandum of understanding, not a final peace deal. US and Iranian officials are expected to continue detailed negotiations in Switzerland, with the talks centered on the future of Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The current framework follows a period of intense fighting between the US, Israel, and Iran earlier this year. After attacks on Iranian targets and retaliatory strikes across the region, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire and then moved toward the broader memorandum.
Although the agreement has eased immediate tensions, it remains politically fragile. One key unresolved issue is how Iran’s nuclear material will be handled, while other disputed points include sanctions, frozen assets, and the future of Iranian oil exports.
A two-week pause in hostilities eventually ran out, with Iran declining to move forward on a deal after Trump issued a warning in an April Truth Social post.
He penned:
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran.
“NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”
Iran reacted negatively to that message and subsequently refused to engage in peace negotiations.
“Iran stated that its absence from the second round of talks stemmed from what it called Washington’s excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the continuing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire,” IRNA news agency stated at the time.
Now, two months later, Trump has once again warned of military action if Iran does not agree to the proposed terms, according to the Independent.
Speaking during this week’s summit, Trump said the proposed deal is still not final and stressed that the main goal is to stop Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“If I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head,” Trump said at the event this week, which was held from Monday (June 15) until today.
“If I don’t like it, if they don’t behave, we’ll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head, OK?”
Despite that rhetoric, Trump is currently backing a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran that has not yet been made public. Reuters has reported that the draft framework is performance-based, meaning sanctions relief and other economic benefits would be tied to Iran meeting its obligations rather than granted upfront.
According to Reuters, the draft terms discussed by Iranian officials include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a halt to further escalation, a limit on uranium enrichment while negotiations continue, and a pathway toward sanctions relief only if a final deal is reached. The US position, meanwhile, is that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon and that any frozen funds or sanctions waivers would depend on compliance.
Among the reported elements are the following:
1. Iran and the United States will end hostilities and maintain the ceasefire.
2. Both sides will avoid interfering in one another’s regional affairs.
3. The two countries will work toward a final agreement within a 60-day period.
4. The Strait of Hormuz will be reopened to commercial traffic, while the US will lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
5. Iran will allow safe passage for merchant ships through the strait at pre-war levels.
6. The United States and regional partners will develop a reconstruction and economic development plan for Iran, potentially involving substantial financing.
7. The United States will end sanctions on Iran in stages, tied to progress under the deal.
8. Iran will not produce or acquire nuclear weapons.
9. Iran will freeze further expansion of its nuclear program while talks continue.
10. The United States would consider waivers on oil sanctions under a final agreement.
11. Frozen Iranian funds could be released gradually if Tehran complies with the deal.
12. Both sides would oversee implementation and future commitments under the final agreement.
13. Remaining issues would be negotiated separately in later rounds of talks.
14. A final agreement could ultimately be endorsed through a UN Security Council resolution.
One unresolved issue concerns the clauses tied to Lebanon. Reuters has reported that the draft includes a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, while Iran has also sought relief connected to Israeli operations there. Trump has previously referred to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as ‘crazy’.
Hezbollah has also said that Iran will not agree to a final nuclear deal with the US unless Israel withdraws from Lebanon.