Iran has flipped U.S. President Donald Trump's playbook against him. Tehran disclosed a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a ceasefire with the United States ahead of Washington and is preemptively leaking its position through the media — the same approach Trump has used to dominate the narrative through Truth Social.
Iran's state-run television on Thursday (local time) reported the contents of a draft MOU on a ceasefire between Iran and the United States. The document includes the withdrawal of U.S. forces from areas near Iran such as Lebanon, lifting of the strait blockade, release of frozen assets, and joint Oman-Iran management of the strait. According to the Iranian side, only the level of uranium enrichment — not the removal of enriched uranium that Washington has consistently demanded — is up for discussion.
The contents of the draft overturn most of the conditions the United States has put forward. State TV said, "This is not the final version, and the details will be finalized within 60 days."
President Trump immediately dismissed the report as "a complete fabrication." The White House also said, "Iran's report is not true, and no one should believe what they put out."
It is unusual for Iran to disclose a draft MOU first. Until now, Trump has thrown out his views first through Truth Social or interviews with foreign media at every stage of negotiations, with Iran belatedly rebutting them. The approach is to seize control of the narrative through unilateral statements before the other side announces. This time, Iran is seen as having stepped into the same playbook to shape public opinion.
On the same day, Fars News Agency reported that Trump could unilaterally announce a final agreement between the United States and Iran within hours. Fars News said, "Trump's unilateral announcement is an attempt to apply pressure and manipulate public opinion before the remaining disputes are fully resolved."
In an interview with PBS News, Trump reaffirmed his position calling for a ban on possession rather than just on enrichment levels, saying, "Iran will not receive any concessions or sanctions relief in exchange for handing over highly enriched uranium." Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, both known as "Trump's men," also repeatedly warned of a resumption of military action if the talks break down.
After a White House staff meeting that day, Trump said, "Whatever agreement is reached with Iran, the strait will be open to everyone, and no country can control it," adding, "There will be no easing of sanctions on Iran or financial concessions." He continued, "If they behave properly and do the right thing, we will return the frozen funds, but right now that is not the case," warning, "If they do not give us what they should, the man on my left (Hegseth) will finish the job."
