President Donald Trump has announced that the United States and Iran are close to reaching a peace deal to end their war. Trump described the agreement as largely negotiated, with talks proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner. These developments follow highly productive mediation efforts by Pakistan in Tehran, and officials indicate that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has endorsed the deal's broad template.
The proposed agreement focuses on ending the conflict and reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Under the potential terms, Iran would pledge not to acquire nuclear weapons and give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in exchange for possible sanctions relief and an easing of US economic pressure. However, Trump stated that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed.
Despite signs of progress, significant differences remain unresolved. Key issues include the status of frozen Iranian assets, Iran's nuclear ambitions, and Israel's war in Lebanon. While the US demands commitments regarding uranium, Iran maintains that the peaceful use of nuclear technology is a legitimate and inalienable right that it will never relinquish. Some Iranian sources have characterized Trump's claims as incomplete and inconsistent with reality.
Although Trump initially signaled an imminent turning point, he tempered expectations on Sunday, urging his negotiators not to rush into a deal. He insisted that time is on the US side and that both parties must take their time to get the agreement right. Consequently, senior administration officials suggest that a final deal is unlikely to be signed this weekend.