Trump Says U.S. And Iran Could Sign A Deal In Days, Calls Off Strikes

Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday that the U.S. and Iran could sign a deal in days, and he said, "We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran."

Trump also said the Strait of Hormuz will "officially open" the moment a deal is signed, and he affirmed the U.S. will lift the naval blockade in the waterway as "part of the deal" that is being considered.

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Hours later, Trump said he has called off new military strikes on Iran, writing that the move was "based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved".

El País said Trump suspended attacks scheduled for Thursday night against Iran after high-level conversations in which all parties approved the final points of an agreement to end the war that began on February 28.

But Iran denied Trump’s claim that it approved the final points, with El País citing Fars News Agency saying Iran "has not approved any agreement with the U.S."

Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed, according to صحيفة عاجل, that "the US attacks have made the ceasefire meaningless."

In a separate report, ایـران اینترنشنال said Trump posted on Truth Social that he canceled attacks planned for Thursday evening, writing, "Given that talks with Iran have been referred to the highest level of the Iranian leadership and have been approved".

ABC News

That same report said Trump affirmed the naval blockade imposed on Iran would continue at full strength and in full measure until an agreement is concluded, while Fars News Agency quoted an unnamed source saying, "No text for a preliminary memorandum of understanding with the United States has been approved."

El País described how the two countries exchanged attacks again in the early hours of the morning for the second day in a row, with U.S. forces bombing air defense systems, communications systems and surveillance facilities.

El País also reported that Iran’s joint military command announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that any vessel attempting to pass will be attacked.

El País said Iran responded to Trump’s claim that the U.S. and Iran could sign a peace agreement this weekend by saying no final decision had been reached about the agreement.

El País also reported that Iranian forces prevented the passage of a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz without coordination, and it said Iranian media later stated that any sounds near Bandar Abbas were related to military activity in maritime areas.

In ایـران اینترنشنال, Trump said the time and place for signing the agreement will be announced soon, while the report said Axios cited three sources saying Tehran agreed to a draft extending the ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and starting 60-day negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.

El País added that the Office of the Israeli Prime Minister said Trump spoke with Netanyahu about the emerging memorandum of understanding with Iran to begin negotiations, and it noted Netanyahu expressed his thanks for Trump’s commitment to the terms of any final.

ABC News said Trump indicated he would not be present for any signing, and that Vice President JD Vance and other administration officials would go.