Trump: US-Iran deal nearly done, Strait of Hormuz to reopen

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that an agreement between the United States and Iran has been "largely negotiated" and will be finalized soon, with reopening the Strait of Hormuz as a central component of the deal. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform while speaking from the Oval Office, stating that the talks involved leaders from Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, and Iran. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the diplomatic discussions as "very useful and productive," adding that the next round of negotiations between the US and Iran would take place "very soon" and expressing hope that Pakistan would host those talks. The proposed agreement comes after 85 days of escalating tensions following the US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28, which sparked a regional conflict affecting Lebanon and other Middle Eastern nations. According to Axios, the deal would likely include a 60-day ceasefire extension, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, a US sanction waiver, and the removal of the blockade on Iranian ports. Negotiations would also address the suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment program. Trump emphasized that any agreement would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing that conversation as "very well." Despite the diplomatic progress, tensions remain high, with Iran warning Washington against "another act of folly" and ongoing fighting across the region. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei noted that positions between the US and Iran have been converging over the past week but cautioned that agreements on key issues remain uncertain. Trump said the "final aspects" of the deal would be announced shortly, with the ceasefire agreement reached in April serving as the framework for continued negotiations.