Iran lawmaker dismisses Axios report on possible US deal

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday he remained committed to strong transatlantic relations despite disagreements with US President Donald Trump over the war involving Iran.

“We have a disagreement, but I can live with that,” Merz told broadcaster ZDF.

“I'll continue to speak my mind in the future. I'll talk it over with him,” he added.

Merz said he speaks regularly with Trump and that “a good partnership has to be able to withstand differences of opinion.”

Trump and Merz have recently exchanged criticism over efforts to end the conflict with Iran. Trump said the German leader “did not know what he was talking about” after Merz said Iran was humiliating the US in negotiations.

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.