US-Iran News LIVE: Iran says no final decision on Trump’s ‘grand settlement’ war | Today’s news
President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States and Iran could sign a peace deal as soon as this weekend that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, but Iran countered that it had not reached a final decision on the deal.
If confirmed, the deal would be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough yet to end the three-month-old war that has killed thousands and sent global energy prices soaring.
Iranian media reported that Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that large parts of the negotiated text had been finalized, but that Iran would not compromise on its red lines.
“We have not reached a final conclusion on this matter,” he said. “This is a very important issue that is currently being examined by the relevant decision-making bodies.”
Trump, meanwhile, told reporters at the White House: “We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran.”
“The strait will officially open once we sign, which could be soon, very soon, maybe this weekend in Europe,” Trump said, adding that Vice President JD Vance could sign for the United States.
Asked if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the deal, Trump said: “My understanding is yes.”
Trump’s statement came after he called off planned military strikes against Iran, citing progress in negotiations. US stocks rose on the news and oil prices fell.
Since mid-March, Trump has repeatedly claimed that a deal with Iran to end the war is close. The two sides traded strikes this week, breaking a ceasefire announced in April.
“It’s a very strong memorandum of understanding that’s a little conceptual,” Trump told reporters.
Trump has repeatedly said that any peace deal must ensure that Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon. Iran denies seeking such a weapon.
Among Iran’s demands are the lifting of international sanctions, the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets and recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz.
“The big thing is that there will be no nuclear weapons in Iran. That means they will not be developed and not bought,” Trump said later during a campaign event held by phone.
