Trump says Iran agreement largely negotiated', awaiting finalisation

A memorandum of understanding in ceasefire talks to end the US-Israel war with Iran has been largely negotiated. The agreement would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, subject to finalization by US and Iranian negotiators and other countries. The US president announced the update after calls with leaders and officials from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Turkiye, and Bahrain, and after a separate call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Final details are being discussed and will be announced shortly. The announcement follows a week of shifting signals, including threats of escalation and statements that attacks were nearly resumed before being paused at Gulf countries’ request. Pakistan’s army chief visited Iran and reported encouraging progress toward a final understanding. Tehran remains wary due to prior US military attacks during nuclear talks. Fighting has largely been paused since April 8, with limited flare-ups.

"Trump has said that a Memorandum of Understanding in ceasefire talks to end the US-Israel war with Iran has been largely negotiated. Trump said on Saturday that the agreement will include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, adding that it remained subject to finalization by US and Iranian negotiators and various other countries."

"The US president made the announcement after holding a call with leaders and officials from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Turkiye, and Bahrain. He said he also 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, he wrote on his Truth Social platform."

"The announcement was the latest turn in a week that began with Trump threatening Iran that time was running out for an agreement on a more lasting ceasefire. He later told reporters he had been just moments away from resuming attacks, which he then decided to put on hold at the behest of Gulf countries. Trump has since alternated between renewing threats of escalation, including posting a picture on Saturday of Iran covered in a US flag, and saying that a deal was close."

"Tehran officials have repeatedly voiced wariness over negotiating with the US, which had twice launched military attacks on Iran during talks about its nuclear programme. The US and Israel launched the latest war on February 28, but fighting has largely remained paused as of April 8, barring a handful of flare-ups."

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