Mediators Told Trump an Initial Deal with Iran Was Close Before He Scrapped Airstrikes

U.S. officials told Politico on Friday that leaders from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan made a last-ditch effort to change President Donald Trump’s mind after he warned a day earlier that he would strike Iran overnight. They reportedly told him that an initial agreement was within reach, and said Gulf leaders’ calls helped persuade Trump to delay the planned military action by about three hours.

The reports came as explosions were heard overnight near the port city of Bandar Abbas. Iranian outlets said the Revolutionary Guard prevented a tanker that had violated the blockade from entering the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. official told Reuters that “Iran attacked ships sailing in the Strait of Hormuz, but traffic through the strait continues as usual.”

On Thursday night, Trump announced that he was canceling the overnight strikes planned against Iran. He said the sides had reached understandings and that “the date and place of signing the agreement will be announced soon.” In a later statement, he said he had spoken with Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and others, as well as with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “I spoke with Bibi, we made a wonderful deal, probably we’ll finish it in the next few days.”

Trump also said the deal could be signed over the weekend, probably in Europe, and named Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as expected participants. He said, “As I understand it, Mojtaba approved it, everyone approved the deal,” and stressed that “the most important clause in the agreement, Iran will not have nuclear [weapons].” He added that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately, “maybe on Saturday.” Netanyahu’s office said Trump had spoken with the prime minister about the emerging memorandum of understanding with Iran, and that although Israel is not a party to it, Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s commitment to a final deal that would remove enriched material, dismantle enrichment infrastructure, limit missile production and end Iran’s support for regional terror proxies.