Donald Trump has said a peace deal between the United States and Iran will be signed within hours, promising to open the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels and curb Iran's nuclear program. However, the US president also issued a chilling warning, stating that if things do not 'work out quickly, easily and smoothly,' Washington has 'the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again.'
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared: 'The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL.' The announcement came after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said a 'final, agreed upon text of the peace deal has been reached' and that 'peace has never been this close as it is now.'
However, Iranian officials have cast doubt on the timeline. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the signing would not take place on Sunday, blaming the 'inconsistency' of the US side. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps called Trump's push for a Sunday signing a 'personal publicity event' for his 80th birthday.
Key Developments
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country is the 'winner of the war' and outlined a memorandum of understanding that includes a US pledge not to start a war or threaten Iran, respect for sovereignty, and an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon. The nuclear issue has been postponed for 60 days after the initial agreement.
Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for 20% of the world's oil and natural gas, has been effectively closed since the war began. Iran has allowed only friendly ships to pass, charging considerable fees. A White House official said the proposed deal would reopen the strait and lift the US blockade on Iranian ports.
International Reactions
Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Trump for confronting 'Iran's empire of evil' on his 80th birthday. However, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid slammed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the war a 'complete failure' and noting that none of Israel's war goals had been achieved.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed support for Trump's efforts and said the UK stands ready to help implement any peace agreement. He stressed the importance of restoring freedom of navigation to ease global economic impacts.
As the world awaits the signing, uncertainty remains. Trump has repeatedly claimed a deal is imminent, but Iranian officials insist the text is not yet finalized. The situation continues to evolve, with both sides signaling that an agreement is closer than ever, but not yet over the line.
