Merz says disagreements with Trump over Iran will not harm ties

An Iranian news outlet linked to the country’s armed forces denied reports that Tehran had agreed to remove enriched uranium from the country as part of talks with the United States.

Defa Press, which is affiliated with the Iranian military, said on Wednesday that removing uranium from Iran had been “completely and irreversibly” ruled out in diplomacy, citing what it described as information from senior Iranian diplomatic officials.

The outlet also dismissed reports that Iran and the US had agreed on a 14-point memorandum aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries, describing them as part of a media campaign by “enemy security-linked outlets.”

The comments came after Axios reported Washington and Tehran were nearing an agreement tied to the war, sanctions and Iran’s nuclear program.

President Donald Trump said it was “too soon” to prepare for face-to-face peace talks with Iran despite reports that Washington and Tehran were nearing a framework agreement to end the war, the New York Post reported on Wednesday.

“I don’t think so,” Trump told the newspaper when asked whether preparations should begin for a possible trip to Pakistan for a peace signing ceremony.

“I think we’ll do it - it’s too far,” he added. “No, it’s too much.”

The comments came after reports that the US and Iran were moving closer to a memorandum aimed at ending the 67-day conflict.

Trump earlier said on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen to all shipping if Iran accepted the proposed deal, warning that otherwise US bombing would resume at greater intensity.

President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to all shipping, including Iran, if Tehran agrees to terms under discussion with Washington.

“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end,” Trump said on Truth Social on Wednesday.

He said a “highly effective Blockade” would allow the Strait of Hormuz to remain “OPEN TO ALL, including Iran.”

Trump also warned that if Iran does not agree, “the bombing starts,” adding that military action would be carried out “at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”

UK stocks jumped more than 2% on Wednesday as investors bet on a possible US-Iran deal to end the months-long war, Reuters reported.

The conflict has pushed energy prices sharply higher and raised concerns about inflationary pressure.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 rose 2.4% by 1055 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 climbed 2.6% and touched its highest level in two weeks, according to the report.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy said safe and stable passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be ensured after what it described as the neutralization of “aggressor threats” and the introduction of new maritime protocols.

“With aggressor's threats neutralized and new protocols in place, safe, stable passage through SOH will be ensured,” the force said in a statement posted on X on Wednesday.

The Guards also thanked ship captains and owners operating in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman for complying with Iran’s Strait of Hormuz regulations.