The United States and Iran remain divided over key elements of ongoing negotiations aimed at reviving a broader agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program, with both sides publicly disputing whether major concessions have been reached.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that Iran has accepted several significant conditions, including expanded nuclear inspections, restrictions on the use of unfrozen Iranian assets, and permanent toll free access through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials, however, have rejected those assertions, saying no such commitments have been made beyond the terms already outlined in the recently released memorandum of understanding.

Disagreement over nuclear inspections

One of the most contested issues concerns international monitoring of Iran’s nuclear activities.

Trump said Iran had agreed to unlimited, long term inspections of its nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency, describing the arrangement as a guarantee of transparency. Vice President JD Vance also said negotiations had reached a major milestone by securing Iranian acceptance of IAEA inspectors.

Tehran disputed those claims. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog would continue under existing procedures and that Iran had not agreed to grant inspectors additional access to damaged nuclear sites or undertake any new inspection commitments.

The IAEA already maintains limited oversight of Iran’s nuclear program under existing arrangements. Expanded inspection powers were also a central feature of the 2015 nuclear agreement that the United States later withdrew from during Trump’s first term.

Despite Iran’s denial, Trump maintained that a comprehensive inspection framework had been agreed and said negotiations would not continue without it.

Dispute over frozen assets

Another point of contention involves Iranian funds that could be released under a future agreement.

The Trump administration has argued that any assets returned to Iran would remain under mechanisms ensuring they are used to purchase American agricultural products and humanitarian supplies.

Vance said negotiators had proposed a framework in which spending would be supervised by the United States and Qatar, allowing Iranian funds to be directed toward purchases such as American corn, wheat, and soybeans. US Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz also said the funds would support purchases from US farmers.

However, Waltz later acknowledged that details of how such financial controls would operate were still under negotiation.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ali Bahreini, rejected suggestions that any foreign government would determine how Iranian assets are spent, insisting decisions regarding the country’s financial resources remain solely under Tehran’s authority.

Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has also emerged as a key area of disagreement.

The memorandum of understanding provides for vessels to transit the strategic waterway without charges for an initial 60 day period. Trump has argued that the exemption will ultimately become permanent.

Iran has not publicly endorsed that interpretation. Iranian officials have instead indicated they are considering a system under which certain maritime services could involve fees after the temporary arrangement expires.

The differing positions suggest negotiations on the future status of one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes remain unresolved.

Questions over the broader negotiations

The conflicting public statements have drawn attention to the gap between the memorandum itself and subsequent descriptions offered by US officials.

Several provisions promoted by the Trump administration, including permanent inspection arrangements and long term financial controls, do not appear in the published agreement. The administration has argued that some understandings remain confidential because of the political sensitivity of the negotiations.

The White House has also said earlier leaked drafts of the memorandum did not accurately reflect the final text. However, many of the provisions reported before publication appeared in the document that was eventually released.

The negotiations continue as both governments seek to advance a broader nuclear agreement while addressing disputes over sanctions relief, verification measures, regional security, and maritime access.

No final comprehensive agreement has been announced, and several of the most significant issues remain under active negotiation.