Donald Trump and Mojtaba Khamenei (R)
US President Donald Trump on Sunday claimed that the United States and Iran have “largely negotiated” a broader agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and potentially bring an end to the months-long conflict launched under “Operation Epic Fury.”However, Iran does not appear to align with the MAGA supremo on the Hormuz question in what Trump is calling a “largely negotiated” deal.“An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.The announcement signalled possible progress toward easing tensions after months of military escalation in the region. Trump, however, also told aides and regional allies that he still reserves the option of restarting military strikes if Iran fails to follow the terms of the temporary deal under discussion, according to a Wall Street Journal report.Iran, though, pushed back on Trump’s claims. State-affiliated Fars News Agency reported that the Strait of Hormuz would remain under Iranian control under the latest proposal exchanged between Tehran and Washington. Iranian media also said the proposal is still awaiting final approval from supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s office.According to CNN, the latest draft of the memorandum of understanding being negotiated would gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ease the US blockade on Iranian ports and pause hostilities between the two countries.The proposed deal would also begin at least 30 days of further negotiations focused on unresolved issues tied to Iran’s nuclear programme, especially Tehran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium.Trump said discussions were still ongoing and warned that parts of the agreement could still change.Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Trump’s peace efforts in a post on X, although he did not directly mention the agreement or the Strait of Hormuz.Instead, Sharif referred to a “very useful and productive telephone call” Trump held with leaders from Gulf nations, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Pakistan, represented by Army chief Asim Munir.“The discussions provided a useful opportunity to exchange views on the current regional situation and how to move the ongoing peace efforts forward,” Sharif said.Fars News again rejected Trump’s remarks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, calling them “not true” and “inconsistent with reality.”“Although Iran has agreed to allow the number of passing vessels to return to pre-war levels, this in no way means ‘free passage’ as it existed before the war,” the outlet reported.Trump later said the talks with regional leaders focused on Iran and a memorandum linked to “PEACE.”According to CNN, regional leaders urged Trump to move ahead with the proposed framework deal. One diplomat involved in the discussions described the conversation as encouraging.“The call was very positive. Good progress is being made. Regional leaders were supportive of the progress and of the breakthrough President Trump achieved with the talks,” a regional diplomat told CNN.Trump also revealed that he held a separate call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.“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,” he said.Israel, however, remains cautious. According to an Israeli source quoted by CNN, Tel Aviv is worried that any interim agreement could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease sanctions on Iran without fully addressing Tehran’s nuclear programme and enriched uranium stockpile.The US has reportedly assured Israel that the uranium issue remains a priority in the negotiations.Netanyahu is expected to hold a high-level security meeting with ministers and intelligence officials to discuss the latest developments.Earlier, in an interview with Axios, Trump described the chances of securing a deal with Iran as a “solid 50/50” before his calls with Gulf and regional leaders. He warned that talks could either produce a “good” agreement or lead the US to “blow them to kingdom come.”Officials from both the US and Iran indicated that they may now be closer to a temporary framework agreement after mediators from Qatar and Pakistan held talks in Tehran on Saturday. One regional source told CNN that both sides were moving toward a broader future deal. Go to Source
