President Donald Trump announced Saturday that a memorandum of understanding on a peace deal with Iran has been 'largely negotiated' and will reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He wrote on Trump Social that final aspects and details are currently being discussed and will be announced shortly.
Trump's announcement followed separate calls with leaders of Muslim-majority nations and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Iran, the United States, and mediator Pakistan all reported progress in talks aimed at ending nearly three months of war.
However, Iran's Fars news agency dismissed Trump's claim as 'incomplete and inconsistent with reality,' stating the Strait of Hormuz would remain under Iranian management according to the latest exchanged text.
Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir met with Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and President Masoud Pezeshkian. The Pakistani army said negotiations over the past 24 hours resulted in 'encouraging' progress towards a final understanding. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei noted a trend towards reduced disputes but added that issues remain needing discussion through mediators.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Washington's demands: Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, the straits must open without tolls, and Iran must turn over its enriched uranium. Qalibaf said Iran would pursue its 'legitimate rights' but could not trust a party lacking honesty. He warned that if the US 'foolishly restarts the war,' the consequences would be 'more forceful and bitter' than at the conflict's start.
Trump, whose approval ratings have been hit by the war's impact on energy prices, said Friday he would not attend his son's wedding, citing Iran among reasons to stay in Washington. Despite weeks of conflict, Iran has preserved its stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium as well as missile, drone, and proxy capabilities.