US and Iran Issue Contradictory Signals on Conflict Resolution

The United States and Iran have issued contradictory statements regarding the resolution of their conflict, with both nations exchanging accusations. US officials claim negotiators from both countries have reached a provisional memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a 60-day ceasefire extension and a framework for nuclear talks, awaiting final approval from President Donald Trump. However, Iranian authorities have dismissed these claims, insisting that no final agreement has been reached between the two nations. Sources within the US involved in the ongoing negotiations, as reported by Al Arabiya and Anadolu Agency on 29 May 2026, stated that an MoU has been agreed upon, but Trump is seeking additional time before making a final decision. US media outlet Axios, citing American sources, reported that Trump has not yet given final approval for the MoU, despite negotiators from both sides largely finalising the terms. Trump’s Considerations The report stated that US negotiators briefed Trump on the proposal, but the president requested more time before deciding. ‘The president told the mediators he needs a few days to consider it,’ an US official quoted by Axios said. US officials cited by Axios also said Iranian negotiators informed mediators they had secured necessary approvals and were ready to sign the agreement, though Tehran has not publicly confirmed this. According to US sources, the initial framework of the agreement would include Iran’s pledge never to pursue nuclear weapons and to begin discussions on surrendering enriched uranium supplies. Iran, per the US source, would also reopen the Strait of Hormuz and remove sea mines placed in the strategic waterway. During the proposed 60-day period, according to US sources speaking to Al Arabiya, Washington would begin easing sanctions, including restrictions on Iran’s oil exports, while also discussing the release of frozen Iranian funds. Under the MoU, the US military would end its naval blockade of Iran, and the Trump administration would attempt to end the ongoing conflict in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Iran Denies MoU with US Has Reached Finalisation Stage Iran has refuted media reports citing US officials. Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Iranian government and quoting sources close to Tehran’s negotiation team, dismissed claims that the MoU had reached finalisation. Tasnim’s report stated that sources close to Iran’s negotiation team described Western media reports as ‘not reflecting reality’, adding that ‘the draft has not been finalised’. The Tasnim-sourced source stressed that Iran has not informed Pakistan-based mediators, involved in indirect talks with the US, that the final draft of the MoU has been agreed upon. ‘If the final draft had been finalised, Iran would have announced it to the Pakistan-based mediators and the public. Until then, any claims by Western sources that the matter has been finalised are not credible,’ the Tasnim-sourced source stated. US Cuts Off Iranian Airlines Signals of conflict resolution appear increasingly distant, evident from restrictions imposed on Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated Washington would not restrict travel for religious reasons while announcing new measures to block Iranian airlines from landing, refuelling, and ticket sales as part of an economic pressure campaign. Bessent, as reported by AFP and the New York Post on 29 May 2026, assured that Iranian citizens wishing to fly to Mecca or Medina in Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah using Tehran-based airlines would be permitted despite the US measures. In a social media X post on 28 May, Bessent announced the US would revoke Iranian airlines’ access to landing, refuelling, and ticket sales. Bessent said the move came as the US Treasury continued its ‘economic anger campaign’ against the Iranian regime to increase pressure on Tehran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In a subsequent White House press conference, Bessent stated there would be limited exceptions, emphasising the US would not restrict travel for religious reasons. ‘We will not restrict movement for religious reasons, so Iranian citizens wishing to visit Mecca or Medina will be allowed,’ Bessent stressed. ‘We will also permit legitimate humanitarian reasons,’ he added. Iran Calls for Israel’s Elimination Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) strongly condemned Israel’s killings of senior Hamas commanders in Gaza, warning that peace in West Asia, or the Middle East, is impossible unless Israel is completely eliminated. In a statement reported by Press TV on 29 May, the IRGC condemned Israel’s killings of two senior Hamas commanders, Mohammed Odeh and Ezzeddin al-Haddad (Abu Suhaib), both senior leaders of Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades. Odeh was reportedly killed alongside his wife and three children in an Israeli strike in Gaza City. Death mer