Kushner reiterates US demands as diplomatic window lapses
US President Donald Trump's envoy Jared Kushner, speaking to Fox News while in Tel Aviv, reiterated Washington's firm stance on Iran, stating that the American leader remains clear that Tehran cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
"President Trump's been very, very, very clear...he believes that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," Kushner said, as reported by The Tribune.
Detailing the US administration's perspective on potential negotiations, Kushner emphasised President Trump's willingness to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. "They have to be willing to make a real deal...President Trump wants to make a fair deal that could be a win-win. But that has to be very basic. They have to want to be a real country, which is no nuclear weapons, no funding terror in the region," Kushner stated.
Reinforcing this position, President Trump stated on Monday that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities remains the primary focus of his administration, following the expiration of the 60-day timeframe established under the June US-Iran memorandum of understanding without securing a lasting peace agreement. In a post on social media platform X, Trump wrote, "The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP"
The content of the US letter to Khamenei
The date of August 18 is notable because, in the same period, a report by Business Today outlined a letter from President Trump to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that reportedly proposes a four-point framework for final terms. The letter was delivered with the facilitation of Oman, which confirmed it had handled the correspondence.
The Business Today report said the proposal centres on four core commitments from Tehran: a complete halt to uranium enrichment and the dismantlement of Iran's nuclear weapons programme with full transparency and international verification; an end to what Washington describes as Iran's support for proxy forces and terrorist organisations across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen; a permanent renunciation of nuclear weapons development, not a temporary suspension, but an irreversible commitment backed by a verifiable mechanism; and a halt to the transfer of ballistic missiles and related technology to third parties.
In exchange, the letter reportedly offers a substantial package: lifting of all US sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy, restoration of full diplomatic and commercial relations with the United States and the international community, explicit security guarantees including a commitment that Washington would not seek regime change, and support for Iran's access to civilian nuclear technology for energy purposes, provided enrichment is permanently halted.
The letter is said to arrive after months of sustained US and Israeli strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, naval assets and missile production facilities. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Iran's military has been "largely destroyed," a characterisation Tehran rejects, and that the country's economy is under severe strain from the combination of the conflict and the naval blockade of its ports.
The tone of the letter as described reflects that context, outlining two futures for Iran: one of prosperity and reintegration, and another of continued isolation and military pressure. However, it reportedly does not set a specific deadline. Iran has not publicly responded to the letter. Previously, Iranian officials have insisted that any negotiations must be preceded by a full halt to US military operations and the lifting of the blockade.
The collapse of the June understanding
These statements come as the stipulated timeframe under the June framework lapsed, with maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz remaining curtailed and substantive discussions regarding Tehran's nuclear activities yet to restart.
The provisional arrangement was originally designed to cease hostilities and establish a structured pathway towards a long-term agreement addressing both the conflict and Iran's nuclear operations, while also aiming to re-establish commercial transit through the strategic waterway.
The Tribune reports that under the June memorandum, the US was expected to terminate its maritime blockade within 30 days, while Tehran agreed to exert "best efforts" to ensure secure, toll-free commercial transit for a 60-day period. The understanding dissolved after mutual allegations of non-compliance. Commitments collapsed when Iranian forces targeted vessels near Oman, which led to US retaliation and subsequent Iranian strikes on Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain.
As a result, the US reinstated its maritime blockade and revoked exemptions that had permitted Iranian oil shipments under the temporary framework. The administration's expectations were outlined: for Washington, the memorandum was intended to pause hostilities and rebuild trust; for Tehran, the normalising of traffic through Hormuz remained contingent on the lifting of the blockade, removal of US military assets, and financial restitution.
Concerns over Hormuz and crude prices
Since the memorandum fell apart, President Trump asserted "total control" of Hormuz, while Iranian commanders maintained that not a vessel can traverse without Tehran's authorisation. The divergent claims reflect the persisting standoff.
Amid the stalled diplomacy, Brent crude advanced to a session peak of $89.40 per barrel on Monday, according to one trading house report - underscoring that global markets watched the waterway closely.
Iran has been engaging in discussions with Oman regarding maritime management protocols for the corridor. Third-party channels remain usable, while direct exchanges between Washington and Tehran ceased in June.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated the Tehran has not decided to re-engage in direct talks with the United States, according to The Tribune. Tehran’s official suspension of its participation came about a week after President Trump announced on July 7 that the memorandum was "over".