US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that an agreement with Iran could be finalized as early as this weekend, with a formal signing ceremony possibly taking place in Europe once the remaining paperwork is completed. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump stated, "We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran, and we're going to be subject to finalisation of documents. We should get done over the next few days. We'll probably have a signing, maybe in Europe. When oil comes down, everything else comes down."
Trump Claims Iran's Supreme Leader Approved Terms
The US president further asserted that Iran's Supreme Leader had approved the proposed terms and indicated that Washington would immediately end its blockade of Iran once the agreement came into effect. Trump emphasized that such a move would have a significant impact on global energy markets, causing oil prices to drop sharply.
Iran Denies Finalizing Any Agreement
However, Tehran has not officially confirmed the agreement. According to Iran's state news agency IRNA, a spokesperson for the country's foreign ministry said the Islamic Republic had yet to make a final decision on the proposed deal. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described reports of a finalized agreement as "merely speculation," adding that Tehran has not reached a final decision. He noted that Qatar and Pakistan were "active as mediators" but criticized US actions for affecting the diplomatic process. Baghaei stated, "From the beginning, the status of the negotiations was clear to us, and a large portion of the text had already been finalised. However, the Americans kept changing their positions." He stressed that Iran had "proven that it does not compromise on what it has defined as its red lines" and confirmed that "so far, Iran has not reached a final decision regarding any agreement."
Trump: Iran Agreed to Forgo Nuclear Weapons
Trump maintained that Iran had agreed to permanently forgo the development or acquisition of nuclear weapons under the proposed arrangement. He said, "They will not have a nuclear weapon. They've agreed to that. There will be no, which is the whole reason, which is a big part of the reason. They will not only not have, they will not purchase, develop in any way, any shape, in any way, shape, or form a nuclear weapon. They will not have a nuclear weapon." Expressing confidence that the agreement would soon be concluded, Trump argued that recent US actions had helped bring Iran to the negotiating table. He described the arrangement as beneficial for both Washington and the wider region, while insisting that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remained a central objective.
Trump Credits Leadership Changes in Iran
The US president also suggested that recent changes within Iran's leadership structure had improved prospects for a settlement. He stated, "I really believe it's a regime change because I find these people to be much more rational than the people who are no longer with us. We knocked out the first team of leadership, the second team of leadership. This is a different group. This is a different level. I think it's, frankly, a smarter level, and it's a level that has reason. Everybody's approved the deal. Now we'll get it finished up, and hopefully that'll be done. Iran will in no way or form have a nuclear weapon or purchase a nuclear weapon."
Memorandum of Understanding Details
Trump further described the agreement as a comprehensive memorandum of understanding that could pave the way for broader nuclear discussions in the future. He said, "It's very strong memorandum of understanding. That is a little conceptual, but it's something that's going to get done. And if it doesn't get done for any reason, which I can't imagine that not happening. They want to sign it as much as I do or more. I would say they want to sign it more, maybe a lot more. But it's a very detailed memorandum of understanding, also agreed to by many other countries that have great influence over them. Everybody wants it done. It's going to get done."
Trump also reiterated that lifting the blockade would happen immediately after signing, causing oil prices to drop significantly. The proposed deal aims to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions and stabilize the region, though Tehran's official stance remains cautious.
