US President Donald Trump said Saturday that a deal with Iran, including opening the Strait of Hormuz, has been “largely negotiated” after calls with Israel and other allies in the region.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries.”
He described it as a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE” that still must be finalized by the United States, Iran, and the other countries that participated in Saturday’s talks.
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“Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly,” Trump said on social media, with no details on timing.
Trump did not reveal the full contents of the agreement.
Who was on the calls
Trump said in a social media post that he held calls from the Oval Office with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, all focused on finalising terms with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Background: How the war started
Twelve weeks have passed since the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, killing top Iranian officials including its supreme leader and interrupting nuclear talks between the US and Iran for the second time in less than a year.
Iran fired at Israel and at neighbors hosting US forces, shaking Gulf nations that had considered themselves safe havens in a tough region. A ceasefire has held since April 7.
Iran’s decision to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz for ships carrying regional oil, natural gas and other critical supplies has been a focal point of global concern and economic pain.
The conflict has set off what Gulf states called the worst global energy crisis in decades, with higher energy prices in the US feeding rising inflation and expectations that the Federal Reserve may need to increase interest rates.
The proposed framework
Reuters reports that the proposed framework would unfold in three stages: formally ending the war, resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and launching a 30-day window for negotiations on a broader agreement, which can get an extension.
Earlier Saturday, the Financial Times reported that a potential deal would establish a framework for nuclear talks, ease sanctions on Iran and unfreeze Tehran’s overseas assets.
The proposed deal would include the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, discussions over diluting or transferring Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, and steps by Washington to ease restrictions on Iranian ports alongside potential sanctions relief, the Financial Times reported, citing insiders.
Iran’s position
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed that Tehran is in the final stages of drafting a framework agreement aimed at ending the conflict with the United States. He said the framework would initially take the form of a memorandum of understanding containing 14 clauses.
Iran state TV earlier quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying: “We want this to include the main issues required for ending the imposed war and other issues of essential importance.”
On the nuclear issue, Iran drew a clear line. Baqaei stressed that the nuclear issue is not part of the initial framework under drafts. “At this stage, we will not discuss the details of the nuclear issue,” he told state television. “We have decided to prioritize an urgent issue for all of us: ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.”
On the Strait, Iran also pushed back on Trump’s framing. Iran disputes Trump’s characterisation and says the waterway will remain under its control, according to state media reports. Baghaei said any mechanism concerning the Strait of Hormuz should have agreement from Iran, Oman and the countries bordering the waterway, and that the United States “has nothing to do” with it.
Pakistani and Qatari negotiators held talks with Iranian counterparts on Thursday and Friday, while staying in regular contact with US envoy Steve Witkoff.
Iran had signaled “narrowing differences” in negotiations after Pakistani army chief Asim Munir held more talks in Tehran.
One of the Pakistani sources said there was no guarantee the US would accept the memorandum. If it does, it would lead to further talks after the Eid holiday ends on Friday.
Trump’s warning if talks fail
Earlier on Saturday, Trump told Axios that he expected to decide on Sunday whether to resume attacks on Iran. “Either we reach a good deal or I’ll blow them to a thousand hells,” Axios quoted him as saying.
Some Republican senators expressed concerns that pursuing a deal with Iran could create a perception of American weakness.
What remains unresolved
The US has consistently demanded that Iran give up its highly enriched uranium. Rubio repeated the US stance that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and must turn over its highly enriched uranium.
Trump also failed to mention any agreement on Iran’s nuclear program or its highly enriched uranium, both of which his administration has repeatedly cited as critical to ending the war.
As of Saturday night, no final deal is in place. Both sides confirmed talks were continuing.