Trump and Iran Claim War Is Over, Deal Set for Sunday Signing – But Tehran Says Not So Fast
The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement to end their conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but conflicting statements from President Donald Trump and Iranian officials have left the deal's timeline and terms in doubt.
President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States and Iran will sign a peace agreement on Sunday, which he said would immediately allow for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that once carried 20% of the world’s oil [172174][173005]. Trump claimed that Iran has agreed to stop developing nuclear weapons and will destroy its stockpile of highly enriched uranium [172561]. He also stated that Iran's supreme leader has approved the deal [170998].
However, Iranian officials have given conflicting accounts. The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Ismail Bagaei, said Saturday that the memorandum of understanding would not be signed on Sunday, adding, "We must wait for the exact date" [172420]. Earlier, Iran's Fars news agency initially denied a deal was in place, though it later reported a high probability Iran would accept it [170998]. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, claimed on Tuesday that a draft deal "has never been closer" to completion, but Trump later rejected the Iranian version, calling it "lies" [171313].
Mediators from Qatar arrived in Tehran on Sunday to help finalize the agreement [172420]. Pakistan confirmed that the two sides had reached a "final and agreed text of the peace agreement" [172420]. All three parties agree that the signing, when it happens, will be done virtually through electronic means [172420].
The preliminary agreement includes several key points: an immediate and permanent ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon; the Strait of Hormuz will reopen within 30 days under Iranian control; the US will lift its naval blockade on Iranian ships within 30 days; the US will release $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds over 60 days; and the US will suspend oil sanctions [173005]. The nuclear issue has been postponed for 60 days of further negotiations [173005]. The deal does not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its support for groups like Hezbollah [173005].
The formal signing is set for Friday in Switzerland, according to Pakistan, a key mediator [173005]. Even after signing, experts warn it could take months for oil shipments to return to normal [173005]. The price of Brent crude oil fell more than $3 per barrel after the announcement [173005].
The deal faces serious challenges. Israel, which did not take part in the talks, bombed southern Beirut on Sunday, and Trump criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for showing "lack of judgment" [173005]. Following new Israeli escalation in Lebanon, Iran is now questioning the purpose of continuing peace talks [173206]. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham expressed concern that Iran's view of the deal may differ from what the US team claims [173005].