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Deal claims collide
US President Donald Trump said 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’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, "So far, Iran has not reached a final conclusion on the agreement."
Trump told reporters at the White House, "We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran," and said the Strait would open "as soon as we sign, which could be soon, very soon, maybe over the weekend in Europe," with Vice President JD Vance able to sign for the United States.
The Straits Times reported that Iranian media said large parts of the text under negotiation have been finalized while Iran would not compromise on its "red lines," and it quoted Baqaei saying, "We have not reached a final conclusion on this matter."
The Independent said Trump canceled scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran after writing on Truth Social that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran had been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, while Tehran condemned the "illegal and criminal attacks" by the US and warned US leaders will be held responsible.
The Guardian added that Iranian forces prevented a tanker from transiting the Strait of Hormuz without coordination and that Iran’s top joint military command announced the closure of the strait, including oil tankers and commercial ships, saying any vessel that attempted passage would be shot at.
Strikes, mediators, and denials
Even as Trump said he canceled further strikes, the Independent reported that the two sides traded strikes for the second day in a row, leaving a fragile ceasefire in jeopardy after US forces fired 49 Tomahawk missiles on Wednesday.
Iran launched strikes targeting 18 US airbases in the Gulf region, forcing Kuwait to temporarily shut its airspace and Bahrain to sound air sirens, according to the Independent.
CNN reported that Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said reports of a finalized agreement were "merely speculation" and that Tehran had not yet made a final decision on any deal.
In the same CNN account, Esmail Baghaei said, "So far, Iran has not reached a final decision regarding any agreement," and added that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz had become "less secure because of U.S. actions."
The Guardian also said Tasnim warned that "Until Iran announces the matter of a potential understanding, any news from Trump on this subject should be regarded the same as his previous messaging," after Trump’s claims of imminence appeared repeatedly over the previous two months.
What’s at stake next
Trump’s stated conditions and targets centered on Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz, with the Hong Kong RTHK report saying his peace deal must ensure Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon and that Iran’s demands include lifting international sanctions and recognition of its control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Independent said Trump claimed Iran agreed never to obtain nuclear weapon as part of a deal to end the war, while also describing his earlier warning that he wanted eventually to take Iran’s oil infrastructure hub Kharg Island.
The Straits Times reported that the agreement, if finalised, would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping and end the three-month war that has killed thousands and sent global energy prices sharply higher, and it noted Trump said the Strait would open "as soon as we sign" the documents.
Fox News said Trump told reporters that "It would be. If we sign this agreement," when asked whether the Kharg Island plan was off the table, while a separate Fox News segment reported that US Central Command was not conducting airstrikes and was maintaining the current ceasefire posture.
CBS News added that the memorandum of understanding signing would kick off 60 days of talks to negotiate details of a U.S.-Iran agreement, with first steps including ensuring "freedom of trade" by demining and opening the Strait of Hormuz.
