Trump Signals Decision on Iran Deal; Tehran Denies Final Consensus

President Trump stated today that he is about to make a decision on a potential deal with Iran, but Tehran insists that a final agreement to end the Middle East conflict has 'not yet been reached.' Iran's Fars news agency refuted several of Trump's claims regarding the deal, citing sources who called his remarks a 'mix of truth and lies.' US sources previously told AFP that after weeks of intermittent negotiations, the deal aimed at ending the conflict was awaiting Trump's formal approval. The New York Times reported that Trump held a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room today but did not make a decision on any new Iran deal. Trump reiterated his long-standing demands, including that Iran must commit to never possessing nuclear weapons and must open the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told state media that the two sides are still exchanging messages, but no final agreement has been reached. Fars news agency cited sources saying Tehran demands the 'immediate unfreezing of $12 billion in blocked Iranian assets,' stating that 'Iran will not enter the next stage of negotiations until this money is paid.'