Iran Tensions Escalate as Tehran Rejects Trump's Claim of Sunday Deal Signing
Rising Iran tensions have surfaced after President Donald Trump announced that a U.S.-Iran agreement will be signed on Sunday, his 80th birthday, only for Iran to immediately push back by stating that no deal will be signed that day.
Trump Announces Sunday Signing
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the agreement includes immediately reopening the Strait of Hormuz to all traffic and aims to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. [4] Trump described the agreement as a barrier against Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. [4] He stressed that no money would be exchanged between the two sides under the deal. [4] The announcement specified that the memorandum of understanding would be signed on Sunday. [5] Trump expressed confidence that the agreement will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. [4]
Iran Rejects the Timeline
Iran's Revolutionary Guard questioned whether Trump was deliberately timing the signing for his birthday. [2] A spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry told Iranian media that no agreement will be signed on Sunday. [2] Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei had said earlier on Saturday that the date of the signing was yet to be determined, but that it would not be on Sunday. [5] Iran avviser president Donald Trumps påstand om at landet skal undertegne en avtale med USA søndag. [2]
Background on Negotiations
The proposed deal follows weeks of negotiations to end recent hostilities, with no money exchanged between the sides. [4] The announcement comes after weeks of intensive negotiations between the United States and Iran aimed at ending recent hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing long-standing disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program. [4] Officials from both countries have recently indicated that the proposed agreement is close to completion, although it has not yet been formally signed. [4] The negotiations have also been accompanied by conflicting reports over the possible release of frozen Iranian assets. [4]
Trump's Warnings and Hopes
Trump warned of a "final option" if the agreement is not completed, while expressing hope for broader regional cooperation. [4] Trump sharply criticized the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama, arguing that the deal paved the way for Iran to eventually obtain nuclear weapons. [4] “The previous deal allowed Iran a path to a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. [4] He added that the new agreement would instead prevent Tehran from acquiring such capabilities. [4] Trump warned that Washington retains another course of action if negotiations collapse, stating “If for some reason the agreement is not completed, we have a final option.” [4] He said he hoped the United States would never have to use it. [4] The U.S. president expressed hope that the agreement would open the door to broader cooperation between the United States, Iran and countries across the Middle East in the coming years. [4]
Iranian Position on the Draft
Iranian officials have indicated a draft is close but internal reviews continue, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggesting a remote signing could occur in coming days. [5] Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have recently said that a draft agreement is closer than ever to being finalized but cautioned that internal reviews are still underway. [4] Tehran has yet to officially confirm a signing date. [4] Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that upon finalisation, a draft deal with the US would be signed "remotely", which could happen "in the coming days." [5]
Regional Context
The proposed deal has reportedly been facilitated through regional mediation efforts involving Pakistan and other partners. [4] US and Pakistani leaders predicted a Sunday signing of an agreement to end the war against Iran. [5] The United Arab Emirates has agreed to unlock billions of dollars for Iran, four sources told Reuters. [5] French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot has called on the US and Iran to seize the opportunity to end a situation that is unsustainable and sign an initial peace deal. [5]
What to watch next: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that upon finalisation, a draft deal with the US would be signed "remotely", which could happen "in the coming days," while French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot has called on the US and Iran to seize the opportunity to end a situation that is unsustainable and sign an initial peace deal.
