Trump says US-Iran peace deal to be signed Sunday, opening Strait of Hormuz; Tehran casts doubt
President Trump said a peace deal with Iran would be signed Sunday and the Strait of Hormuz reopened, but Iran's foreign ministry cautioned the date remains undetermined.
Trump announces Sunday signing
On Saturday, President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social that a deal to end the US-Iran war is scheduled to be signed on Sunday, immediately reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow (Sunday), and immediately after it is, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL.
Trump added that the agreement would be "A WALL TO NO NUCLEAR WEAPON!" and hinted that enriched uranium stockpiles would later be removed and destroyed. He also issued a veiled threat, saying Washington has "the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again" if the deal fails.
Iran and Pakistan offer conflicting signals
Iran pushed back on the timeline. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking before Trump's post, told state media the signing would not happen on Sunday but could occur "in the coming days".
We will have to wait and see about the exact date of the signing of the memorandum of understanding, although it may not be tomorrow.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key mediator, sounded more optimistic. In an X post he said the two sides had agreed wording and finalisation was expected within 24 hours, with an electronic signing to follow immediately and technical talks next week.
We are closer to a peace deal than ever before. With finalisation likely expected in the next 24 hours, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal immediately after, followed by technical level talks next week.
- US and Israel launch strikes on Iran, beginning the war
- A fragile ceasefire comes into effect
- US intercepts Iranian drones targeting ships in Strait of Hormuz
- Pakistan announces US and Iran have agreed deal wording
- Trump says peace deal scheduled to be signed Sunday; Iran yet to confirm
Nuclear and maritime provisions
The emerging memorandum of understanding would address Iran's nuclear programme through a phased process. A senior US official, speaking anonymously, said a 60-day period after signing would be used to work out technical details for removing Tehran's highly enriched uranium, believed to be entombed under sites struck by American forces last year. Iran would not immediately hand over fissile material, a point of tension with Israel. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks on the nuclear file would begin after the initial agreement and could be extended beyond 60 days.
The deal would also reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows. Both sides have maintained naval blockades since the war began. Trump claimed the waterway would be "open to all" straight after signing, while Iran insists on its right to control the strait.
Fragile ceasefire and military tensions
The path to a deal has been rocky. The war erupted on 28 February with combined US-Israeli strikes on Iran. A fragile ceasefire has held since 7 April, but skirmishes continued. On Friday, US Central Command intercepted several Iranian attack drones targeting commercial ships in the strait, underscoring the volatility. The US also maintains a blockade of Iranian ports.
Lebanon and Hezbollah
Iran's foreign minister said the agreement is expected to end the parallel conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israeli forces, however, appear to be pressing military gains ahead of a potential deal. US officials have not publicly confirmed that Lebanon would be included in the immediate pact.
