Trump says peace deal with Iran ‘largely negotiated’, Strait of Hormuz to reopen

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Saturday, May 23, said that the United States and Iran were close to finalizing a broader agreement aimed at ending the months-long conflict that began earlier this year, adding that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen as part of the arrangement.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the agreement as “largely negotiated” following discussions involving Iran and several regional countries. The president said final details were still being discussed but suggested negotiators had made significant progress toward a framework agreement. 

Trump says regional talks made major progress

Trump said the potential agreement followed conversations with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Pakistan and Turkey. 

“An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries,” Trump wrote. He added that “final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed” and said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen under the proposed arrangement.

The president also added that he spoke to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that the conversation "went very well." A regional diplomat described the talks as “very positive,” saying Gulf leaders were supportive of the progress made during the negotiations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking during a visit to India, reiterated that the United States continued to insist Iran could not possess nuclear weapons. “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. The straits need to be open without tolls. They need to turn over their enriched uranium,” Rubio said.

Iran officials acknowledge progress but caution details unresolved

Iranian officials publicly signaled cautious optimism while emphasizing that negotiations were still ongoing. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei said the “trend this week has been towards a reduction in disputes,” though he noted that several issues still needed to be addressed through mediators.

A regional official familiar with Pakistan-led mediation efforts said that the proposed framework would formally declare an end to the war and establish a 60-day negotiation period over Iran’s nuclear program. The official also said the arrangement could include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the US blockade of Iranian ports.

Iranian media, however, pushed back on suggestions that an agreement had already been finalized. Fars News Agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that the Strait of Hormuz would remain under Iranian control and described claims of a near-final agreement as “inconsistent with reality.”

Iran’s negotiators have also reportedly sought the release of frozen Iranian assets and guarantees related to ending hostilities before entering a broader nuclear agreement. While the exact terms remain unclear, both US and Iranian officials indicated discussions are expected to continue over the coming days.