Trump Hints at Imminent Iran Peace Deal Amid Ongoing Negotiations
US President Optimistic About Iran Agreement
Washington: On Thursday, President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a peace agreement with Iran could be finalized "soon," potentially as early as this weekend. He stated that Tehran has agreed to refrain from pursuing nuclear weapons and that restrictions around the crucial Strait of Hormuz would be lifted once the deal is signed. During a press briefing, Trump conveyed confidence that the negotiations were nearing completion. When asked about the timeline for finalizing the agreement, he remarked, "It'll be soon. Maybe this weekend."
Regarding whether Iran's Supreme Leader had approved the deal's terms, Trump indicated, "I understand the answer is yes." However, Iranian officials have stated that a final decision on the peace agreement has not yet been made, emphasizing that they will not compromise on their "red lines" during discussions. According to Iran's state-run news agency, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed claims about the timing and location of the agreement's signing as mere speculation, noting that no final deal has been reached yet. Reports suggest that while a significant portion of the agreement has been negotiated, the Trump administration has frequently altered its stance throughout the talks.
Nuclear Weapons Commitment Central to Agreement
Trump Asserts Iran Will Abandon Nuclear Weapons
A key aspect of the proposed agreement, as stated by Trump, is Iran's commitment to cease any pursuit of nuclear weapons. When questioned about Iran's agreement not to seek nuclear capabilities post-deal, Trump affirmed, "They will not have a nuclear weapon. They've agreed to that... They will not purchase, develop in any way any shape or in any way, form a nuclear weapon." The president also suggested that sanctions and maritime restrictions would be lifted immediately upon signing the agreement. In response to inquiries about lifting the blockade, Trump confirmed, "Yes, that's right. That's part of the deal. And you'll have oil prices dropping like a rock..."
Iran's Desire for Agreement Highlighted
Trump Claims Iran Wants the Deal More
Trump emphasized that Iran's willingness to negotiate is a result of the intense military and economic pressure it has faced. When asked about his confidence in finalizing the deal this time, he stated, "Because they (Iran) have taken a pounding like very few people could take, and they want to make the deal a lot more than I do." He noted that Iran has experienced significant damage and that a new leadership structure has emerged following military actions. "I really believe it's a regime change because I find these people to be much more rational than the people that are no longer with us," Trump remarked, suggesting that the current leadership is more pragmatic.
Military Pressure Persists Amid Negotiations
Trump Maintains Military Pressure on Iran
Despite the diplomatic optimism, Trump indicated that military pressure on Iran remains active during the negotiations. When asked what led him to believe Iran was serious about diplomacy this time, he replied, "The level of enthusiasm beginning at that. We were hitting them very hard for the last three days. We're going to hit them even harder tonight." He added, "They knew that. We told them exactly what we were going to do." Trump further asserted that the conflict had already been decided militarily, stating, "We won this war militarily very early on. The only thing we didn't win was the fake news." He painted a grim picture of conditions within Iran, noting, "They've got a chance to build a country. Their country is largely demolished... Everything is gone. Their leadership is gone many times over."
Timeline for Agreement and Military Operations
Trump Discusses Timeline for Agreement
The Strait of Hormuz has been a critical flashpoint during the conflict, with any disruption to shipping through this narrow waterway impacting global oil prices and international trade. When asked about the timeline for the agreement, Trump stated, "The Strait is going to open immediately. This signing, maybe it'll happen on Saturday or Monday." While he refrained from setting a formal deadline, he insisted that the agreement would progress swiftly, saying, "We think it's going to go pretty quickly. I don't want to say a deadline, because if I say a deadline, you'll say, oh, he didn't meet the deadline... it's going to get signed."
Potential Operations Against Iran's Oil Infrastructure
Kharg Island Operation May Be Abandoned
Trump also suggested that a potential operation targeting Iran's critical oil-export infrastructure at Kharg Island could be shelved if the agreement is finalized. When asked whether the Kharg Island operation was still under consideration, Trump replied, "Now it would be if we signed this agreement, it would be. They weren't so thrilled when they heard that that's what I was put in. I just don't think I like it." While Trump has expressed confidence that a breakthrough is near, key details of the proposed agreement have yet to be disclosed. Neither Iranian officials nor international mediators have released the complete framework of the reported memorandum of understanding.