US President Donald Trump has announced significant progress in negotiations with Iran. Whilst hosting NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House on 24 June, Trump told reporters that talks with Iran were progressing rapidly, claiming that “Iran is making many concessions, and we are winning by a wide margin”.
Trump also reiterated that any attempts by Iran to impose charges or duties on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be unacceptable.
Whilst Iranian officials are denying the US access to their damaged nuclear facilities, Trump insists that Tehran has agreed to oversight, specifically joint inspections by the US and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “They agree to everything I want, and they must; otherwise, we will come back and do whatever is necessary,” Trump warned, speaking to journalists on 24 June in Washington.
Trump used his meeting with Rutte to reiterate his frustration with NATO members who had opposed the conflict or distanced themselves from it, telling the Secretary-General that many allies had ‘disappointed him’ with regard to Iran.
Although Rutte defended European cooperation, emphasising vital logistical support and access to airspace, Trump added that he would not have attended the NATO summit in Ankara on 7–8 July had it not been for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is hosting the event.
Washington and Tehran are currently negotiating a peace agreement against the backdrop of a ceasefire.