Bessent sidesteps questions on tentative US, Iran deal

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sidestepped questions about a reported 60-day memorandum of understanding between U.S. and Iranian negotiators during his White House briefing, urging reporters not to pre-empt the president as talks proceed. He noted President Trump has red lines and has not formally approved any deal, a point first reported by Axios and later echoed by the White House. Bessent reiterated U.S. demands that Iran surrender highly enriched uranium and refrain from pursuing a nuclear weapon, while acknowledging ongoing back-and-forth. The tentative accord would extend the ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and begin negotiations on Iran’s enrichment program and sanctions, contingent on Iranian leadership approval.