Trump Says U.S. and Iran Near Deal After Halting Planned Strikes

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States and Iran have reached understandings on a deal, after he canceled military strikes that had been planned for the night. Speaking at the White House, he said he had spoken with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that a “wonderful” agreement expected to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons could be signed in Europe, possibly as soon as this weekend. Trump said the document is in its final drafting stage, that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has approved it, and that Vice President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff may attend the signing.

The Prime Minister’s Office said Trump and Netanyahu discussed the emerging memorandum of understanding ahead of negotiations, and said Netanyahu praised Trump’s commitment to a final accord that would remove enriched material, dismantle enrichment infrastructure, limit missile production and end Iranian support for regional proxy groups. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the draft is “almost final,” but that it has not yet been completed or formally approved.

Trump said the decision to cancel the strikes came after talks reached Iran’s top leadership. He added that the U.S. naval blockade will remain in place until the deal is completed. Al Arabiya reported that the emerging understandings include extending a ceasefire by at least 60 days, clearing mines and reopening the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, allowing Iran to sell and export oil, and continuing nuclear talks during that period.