Trump says U.S. has ended war with Iran, 'great deal' reached and signing set for Sunday
President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States has ended hostilities with Iran and that a memorandum of understanding could be signed as early as Sunday. Iran responded by reaffirming its right to enrich uranium and refusing to cede control of the Strait of Hormuz.
A deal announced during a virtual rally
President Donald Trump declared on Friday that the United States has "ended the war with Iran" and that the two countries reached a "great deal." The announcement came during a virtual rally in support of a Georgia lieutenant governor candidate. Trump did not disclose the full terms but stressed that Tehran committed to never having a nuclear weapon, a pledge he described as representing 95% of the agreement.
I don't know if you heard, but we ended the war with Iran today.
The memorandum of understanding could be signed this Sunday in an unspecified European country. Neither side has confirmed the exact location.
Iran's nuclear red lines
Iranian official news agency IRNA, cited by AFP, said the nuclear program would be discussed with Washington within 60 days but ruled out concessions on uranium enrichment. The statement reiterated that Iran would only negotiate based on the Islamic Republic's fundamental principles.
Iran will only negotiate the nuclear program within the framework of the fundamental principles of the Islamic Republic, and issues such as Iran's right to enrich uranium and the preservation of enriched material will be presented for inclusion in the final agreement.
Trump's claim of a breakthrough echoes earlier instances where he prematurely declared accords with Iran. CNN counted at least 38 such announcements by the president, most of which were denied by Tehran. This time, however, both sides acknowledge a pending document, though with divergent versions.
Strait of Hormuz stays under Iranian control
Trump had promised to unblock the Strait of Hormuz once the deal is signed. IRNA flatly rejected any transfer of management over the strategic waterway, stating Iran would not restore conditions that existed before what it called American and Israeli military aggression. The strait remains a flashpoint, and the disagreement signals that maritime tensions may persist even after a signing ceremony.
Lebanon demands and the Netanyahu friction
The accord does not resolve the situation in Lebanon. Iran demands an immediate end to hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon. Israeli forces continue their advance, showing no signs of halting. The standoff has already sparked an exchange between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and it is unclear whether the U.S.-Iran agreement will settle the Lebanese front.
- Trump declares end to war and a 'great deal' during a virtual rally.
- Iranian state media IRNA says nuclear talks in 60 days, rejects enrichment and Hormuz concessions.
- Memorandum of understanding set to be signed in a European country.
A pattern of premature declarations
CNN's tally of 38 previous Trump announcements of an Iran deal highlights the pattern. Many were swiftly contradicted by Iranian officials. The current memorandum stands out because Iranian state media confirmed the existence of a text and engaged with its substance, though they disputed Trump's portrayal. The gap between the two sides' versions remains wide, especially on enrichment, the Hormuz, and Lebanon.
