Trump says deal with Iran ‘largely negotiated'; Iranian media disputes Strait of Hormuz claims
President Donald Trump said a memorandum of understanding to end the war with Iran had been largely negotiated and would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian state-linked media disputed his account of who would control the vital passage.
“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, as listed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Separately, I had a call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, which, likewise, went very well. Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly. In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened.”
The Iranian news agency Fars reported early Sunday that any agreement would allow Iran to manage the strait and said Trump’s assertion about reopening it was "inconsistent with reality."
A regional official with direct knowledge of Pakistan-led mediation efforts told The Associated Press that the deal would include an official declaration ending the war, two months of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, reopening the strait and ending the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
The draft framework would give the U.S. and Iran 30 days to reach a final pact, with a possible one-month extension, officials from the U.S. and mediating nations told The Wall Street Journal.
Trump reportedly told aides and counterparts that he reserved the right to resume attacks if Tehran failed to abide by the temporary accord.
The strait has been closed to most shipping since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Iran in February. The passage carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, and its closure has disrupted global energy markets.
The draft would reopen the strait without tolls during a 60-day ceasefire extension, allow Iran to sell oil freely and open talks on curbing Iran’s nuclear program, a U.S. official told Axios. The U.S. would lift its blockade on Iranian ports and issue some sanctions waivers on Iranian oil.
The draft also includes commitments from Iran never to pursue nuclear weapons and to negotiate on suspending uranium enrichment and removing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
The proposed deal included an apparent Iranian commitment to give up that stockpile, with the method left for later talks, The New York Times reports.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the current talks were focused on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. He said nuclear issues were outside the present phase, while sanctions relief had been written into the text.
Baghaei said disputes had narrowed this week, though some issues still needed to be discussed through mediators. He said the next three or four days would show where the process stood.
Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, left Tehran Saturday after talks with Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Pakistan’s army reportedly said the talks had made encouraging progress, and two Pakistani sources involved in the talks said the deal under negotiation was fairly comprehensive.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Trump’s efforts Sunday and said Pakistan hoped to host the next round of talks soon. He said regional discussions had been useful and productive.
Trump spoke Saturday with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and Bahrain. He also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said the call went very well.
Iran has demanded supervision of the strait, an end to the U.S. blockade on its ports and the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil sales. It also wants a more permanent ceasefire in Lebanon, where Iran-allied Hezbollah militants have been fighting Israeli troops in the south.
Qalibaf said Iran’s armed forces had rebuilt their capabilities during the ceasefire and warned renewed U.S. attacks would bring more forceful consequences.
Iran has retained its stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium as well as missile, drone and proxy capabilities, Reuters noted.
The war began on Feb. 28, when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. A ceasefire has held since April 7, while Iran’s restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz have remained a focal point of economic pressure.
Israel is not a party to the negotiations with Iran. Israeli officials have pushed for a resumption of strikes, and U.S. troops and military assets, including tankers that could be used in attacks, remain stationed in Israel.
