Trump: US-Iran Peace Deal 'Largely Negotiated', Iran Denies Parts

US President Donald Trump stated that a memorandum of understanding to end the conflict between the US and Iran has been "largely negotiated," suggesting that once finalized, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened. However, his claim was refuted by Iran's Fars News Agency, which called it "inconsistent with the facts." According to Reuters and AFP, Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, on the 23rd: "The final details of the agreement are currently being negotiated and will be announced in the near future." The US news site Axios reported that the US and Iran are close to an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with no transit fees during a 60-day ceasefire. In exchange, the US would lift the blockade on Iranian ports and provide partial sanctions relief for Iranian oil sales. The draft agreement also includes Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons and negotiations to limit its uranium enrichment program and remove high-enriched uranium stockpiles. The Pakistani military, playing a key mediating role, stated that there has been "encouraging" progress in the negotiations between the two countries. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also confirmed this diplomatic effort on X on the 24th, stating, "Pakistan will continue to push for peace efforts with the utmost sincerity, and we hope to host the next round of talks soon." Sources told Reuters that the framework would be implemented in three stages: formally ending the war, resolving the Strait of Hormuz crisis, and launching a 30-day window for more comprehensive negotiations. Pakistan continues to coordinate to narrow the differences. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described the trend this week as moving toward reducing differences, but noted that issues remain that must be mediated. "We still need to observe the situation over the next 3-4 days," he said. Baghaei added that while the US blockade is a major issue, the current priority is ending the threat of new US attacks and calming the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir left Tehran on the 23rd after meetings with Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Qalibaf warned that Iranian armed forces have reorganized during the ceasefire, and if the US "foolishly restarts the war," the consequences would be "more intense and painful" than at the beginning of the conflict.