US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that 125 million barrels of oil have been transported through the Strait of Hormuz and that this continues despite regional tensions. Hegseth argued that Iran has been unable to respond during this process.
In an interview with CBS News, Hegseth said, "Project Freedom has never stopped." He claimed that oil transit through the strategic waterway continues and is under Washington's control.
The Secretary also asserted that no Iranian ship has managed to break the "American blockade." With these remarks, he suggested that the Trump administration holds a strong negotiating position in the diplomatic process with Iran.
Hegseth added that the US military will remain active over the next 60 days to ensure Tehran complies with an agreement. He mentioned that military plans are prepared for the "dilution, destruction, or removal" of nuclear material from the region.
According to Hegseth, the text on the table includes that Iran will never possess nuclear weapons, will not seek them, purchase them, or keep them.
Trump said on Saturday that a deal with Iran would be signed on Sunday. Tehran objected to this timeline and stated that the draft under discussion is still under evaluation.
According to sources in Tehran cited by Fars News Agency, no final decision has been announced. Thus, the gap between the claim of an agreement and Iran's cautious approach continues.