After months of military tensions, threats involving strategic oil routes, and repeated warnings of a broader regional conflict, US President Donald Trump has expressed strong confidence that a landmark agreement with Iran is now within reach. Trump indicated that negotiations have progressed significantly and suggested that only a few administrative and legal formalities remain before a final deal can be officially signed and implemented.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump declared that the United States had effectively reached what he described as a major settlement with Iran. According to him, the difficult and sensitive phase of negotiations has largely been completed, leaving only the finalisation of documents before the agreement can move forward. He stated that the remaining paperwork should be completed within the next few days, signalling that the process is entering its final stage.
Trump's remarks came shortly after he stepped back from the possibility of additional military action against Iran, citing substantial progress in diplomatic discussions. He suggested that the negotiations had advanced much further than many expected and claimed that the proposed agreement had already received approval from the highest levels of Iran's leadership. These developments have fuelled hopes that a significant diplomatic breakthrough may soon be achieved after a prolonged period of instability and confrontation.
The US President also revealed that a formal signing ceremony could take place in Europe as early as this weekend. While he did not identify the specific country where the event might occur, Trump indicated that preparations were moving quickly and that the agreement could be signed soon after the remaining documentation is completed. He expressed confidence that the process would continue to advance rapidly over the coming days.
Although Trump expects the agreement to be signed shortly, he clarified that he would not personally attend the ceremony. Instead, Vice President JD Vance is expected to represent the United States and participate in the event on behalf of the administration. Trump suggested that the signing would serve as a major step toward reducing tensions in the region and establishing a framework for broader cooperation between the two countries.
Trump also linked the proposed agreement to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important maritime passages. The narrow waterway serves as a critical route for global oil and energy shipments, and disruptions there have historically caused uncertainty in international markets. According to Trump, the strait would reopen immediately once the agreement is signed, a move that could help restore stability to global shipping and energy supplies while easing pressure on international oil prices.
Despite the optimism coming from Washington, Iranian officials have presented a more cautious assessment of the negotiations. Iran has stressed that no final agreement has yet been approved and that discussions remain ongoing. Speaking on state television, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei rejected suggestions that the negotiations had already concluded successfully, stating that Iran had not yet reached a final decision regarding the proposed deal.
Baghaei acknowledged that negotiators had made significant progress and that much of the proposed text had already been agreed upon. However, he accused the United States of introducing additional demands during the later stages of the talks and argued that Washington had attempted to impose new conditions that Iran considered excessive. According to him, Iranian authorities are continuing to evaluate the proposal carefully before deciding whether it should receive final approval.
The Iranian spokesperson also reiterated Tehran's long-standing position that it would not negotiate under pressure or compromise on its core principles. He emphasised that Iran would not abandon its established red lines and would continue to defend what it considers its national interests throughout the negotiation process. His comments highlighted the fact that important differences still remain despite the progress reported by both sides.
A central element of the proposed agreement concerns Iran's nuclear programme, which has long been a source of tension between Tehran and Western governments. Trump stated that the deal would ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, describing this objective as the primary reason behind the extensive diplomatic efforts and negotiations. He characterised the commitment as one of the most significant achievements of the proposed agreement.
When asked whether Iran had formally agreed to restrictions preventing it from pursuing nuclear weapons, Trump responded confidently, insisting that Tehran had accepted those conditions. He stated that Iran would not possess a nuclear weapon and claimed that Iranian representatives had already agreed to that principle during negotiations. Trump further suggested that the future agreement would prevent Iran from either purchasing or developing nuclear weapons.
Iran, however, has consistently denied allegations that it seeks to develop nuclear arms. For years, Iranian officials have maintained that the country's nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes, including energy production, scientific research, and medical applications. Tehran continues to reject claims that its nuclear activities are aimed at creating a military nuclear capability.
Trump also claimed that the proposed agreement had secured support from Iran's highest leadership. When asked whether Iran's Supreme Leader had approved the arrangement, Trump responded that his understanding was that the answer was yes. Although Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed such approval, Trump's statement suggested that he believes the agreement enjoys support from key decision-makers within the Iranian government.
The US President further stated that he had communicated with leaders throughout the Middle East, including regional allies and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Trump, the response from governments across the region has been overwhelmingly positive. He argued that many countries view the agreement as an opportunity to reduce tensions, improve regional stability, and avoid the risks associated with continued conflict.
Trump also suggested that the current negotiations differ significantly from previous diplomatic efforts because Iran is now much more eager to reach an agreement. Asked why he believed a breakthrough was more likely now than in earlier rounds of talks, he pointed to the pressure Iran has experienced in recent months. According to Trump, recent events have increased Tehran's willingness to compromise and pursue a settlement.
He argued that Iran had endured substantial economic, political, and strategic pressure and therefore had a stronger incentive to conclude an agreement than at any previous point in the negotiations. Trump claimed that Iran's enthusiasm for reaching a deal had increased dramatically and suggested that Tehran now wants an agreement even more than Washington does.
Earlier in the day, Trump used his Truth Social platform to provide additional details about the negotiations. He stated that both the broad framework and the detailed provisions of the agreement had received approval from multiple parties involved in regional diplomacy. According to Trump, discussions and final points had been accepted by countries including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and several others.
If the remaining issues are resolved and final approval is granted by all relevant parties, the proposed agreement could represent one of the most important diplomatic developments in the Middle East in recent years. It has the potential to reduce the risk of military conflict, restore stability to critical international shipping routes, address concerns regarding Iran's nuclear programme, and create a foundation for broader regional cooperation. Nevertheless, despite the optimism expressed by Trump and his administration, Iranian officials continue to emphasise that no final agreement has yet been approved, meaning that the deal remains subject to further review and negotiation before it can be formally signed and implemented.
