Middle East Crisis Live: Strait of Hormuz Status Uncertain as Trump Claims Iran Deal Nears Completion
Donald Trump’s recent social media post did not reference Iran’s nuclear program or highly enriched uranium, issues Tehran has indicated it wishes to negotiate at a later stage. The announcement came amid increasing optimism among officials regarding a potential agreement to end the ongoing war.
Earlier on Saturday, a regional official with direct knowledge of the Pakistan-led mediation efforts stated that the United States and Iran were approaching an agreement. Speaking on condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions, the official informed the Associated Press that “last-minute disputes” could still jeopardize the negotiations.
This is not the first occasion in recent weeks that the deal has been described as close to finalization.
The official explained that the agreement would include an official declaration marking the end of the war, followed by two months of negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program. Additionally, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, and the United States would lift its blockade on Iranian ports.
Meanwhile, Iran has indicated “narrowing differences” in the negotiations after Pakistani army chief Asim Munir conducted further talks in Tehran.
Donald Trump announced the developments through a post on Truth Social, stating that he had engaged in telephone conversations with multiple Middle Eastern leaders, including a separate call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which he described as having “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.”
However, the Fars news agency, which maintains close ties to the regime in Tehran, reported that Trump’s claim of a nearly finalized agreement was “inconsistent with reality.”
Opening Summary
Welcome to our live coverage of the war and the broader Middle East crisis.
Donald Trump has announced that, following discussions with a Pakistani mediator, Gulf allies, and Israel, a potential agreement is nearing completion that could bring an end to the war initiated by the US and Israel in February.
Trump wrote that the “final aspects and details” of a “Memorandum of Understanding” remain under discussion and “will be announced shortly,” but affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened as part of the deal.
Conversely, Iran’s Fars news agency, closely linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that the strait would remain under Iranian control and described Trump’s assertion of a near-final agreement as “inconsistent with reality.”
Three senior Iranian officials have indicated that the agreement would halt fighting in Iran and Lebanon and could lead to the release of $25 billion in Iranian assets currently frozen overseas, with a nuclear agreement to be negotiated within 30 to 60 days.
We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.
