Iran Tensions Ease as Trump Claims Nuclear Deal Reached but Tehran Denies Finalization
Iran tensions appear to be easing after President Trump announced that the United States has ended the war with Iran through an agreement that prevents Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and reopens the Strait of Hormuz, though Iranian officials stated that nothing has been finalized and the deal remains under review.
Trump Announces End to Iran Conflict
President Trump stated that the United States won the war without needing European support. [2] He said a signing ceremony would likely occur in Europe within days after document finalization. [4] Trump declared that the US would strike Iran very hard again but later said he was cancelling the strikes because negotiators had just made a great settlement with Iran. [4] He told reporters the agreement was subject to finalisation of documents which should get done over the next few days and that there would probably be a signing ceremony in Europe. [4] Trump also said the Strait of Hormuz would open as soon as the deal is signed. [4] He added that the whole Middle East is very happy following conversations with leaders in the region including Gulf allies and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. [4]
Iranian Denial of Finalized Deal
Iran's foreign ministry and state media rejected claims of an imminent agreement. [2] The foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said reports of an agreement were speculative and nothing has been finalised. [4] Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson also said the majority of the text for the memorandum had already been finalised but the US had made excessive demands and added new requests. [4] The agency of press Fars linked to the Guardians of the Revolution reported that the process of evaluation and decision of Iran about an agreement has not yet been completed and denied the news that Sunday an announcement would be made and Geneva would have been chosen as the seat for the signing of an agreement with the US. [2] Fars wrote that the news relating to both the date and the place are entirely false. [2] The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson maintained the country would not depart from its red lines. [4]
Key Elements of the Draft Memorandum
The draft memorandum includes 60 days of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. [2] It also covers lifting of US sanctions, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and US commitments to reduce military presence. [2] The draft does not require Iran to cede control of the strait or address its ballistic missile program. [2] A Western source said a memorandum between the United States and Iran to halt the war in the Gulf could be signed as soon as Sunday. [5] The source said language in the memorandum was still being finalized and Iran was sticking to its position that the deal must also end fighting in Lebanon. [5] Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said wrong strategies and impulsive decisions will create an endless quagmire that you will be stuck in for years. [4]
Israeli and Hezbollah Positions
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu affirmed full agreement with Trump that Iran will never have nuclear weapons. [2] Netanyahu wrote on X that as long as he is prime minister of Israel Iran will not have nuclear weapons and on this point there is full agreement between him and President Trump. [2] Netanyahu added that any deal must include dismantling enrichment infrastructure and ending support for terrorist proxies. [4] Hezbollah expressed confidence that any US-Iran deal will include ending fighting in Lebanon. [5] A leading Hezbollah politician Hassan Fadlallah said if the agreement happens Hezbollah has complete confidence in the Islamic Republic that it will insist on any agreement including the file of Lebanon. [5] Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted on an end to fighting in Lebanon as part of any wider agreement. [5]
Recent Military Escalation and De-escalation
Recent escalation included US strikes on Iranian targets after an Apache helicopter was downed. [1] Threats to hit bridges and power plants were put back on the table. [1] Iranian retaliation included attacks on US bases. [3] Trump later canceled planned strikes citing progress in talks. [4] US Central Command completed a wave of strikes targeting military surveillance and radar sites in southern Iran. [4] In response Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched strikes against American bases in Bahrain Kuwait and Jordan. [4] An 11-year-old girl in Bahrain was injured by an Iranian drone attack. [4] Jordan said it shot down about 20 Iranian missiles. [4] Kuwait's military said its military engaged with hostile aerial targets. [4] Iran responded by attacking Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz. [4]
International Reactions and Concerns
European leaders noted their role after the agreement. [2] Calls for de-escalation came from the UN and multiple countries. [4] A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was deeply concerned by the continuing escalation in the Middle East and urged the parties to return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and avoid any further deterioration. [4] Pakistan Russia China Turkey India and Saudi Arabia also all called for de-escalation. [4] In the wake of the latest comments the price of Brent crude plunged to about $89 a barrel down 4.4 percent on the day. [4] Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani commented that the war against Iran is one to which Italy was not a participant and does not concern it. [2]
What to watch next: Documents are in pretty final shape so a signing may occur in Europe pretty quickly once finalised with Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament President Mohammed Ghalibaf potentially involved.
