Trump Tells Channel 12 He Expects Iran Deal by Monday

President Donald Trump told Channel 12 on Friday evening that he still believes an agreement with Iran can be signed over the weekend or by Monday. His remarks came after a day of tension between Washington and Tehran, sparked by Iranian media reports about the terms of the emerging deal.

The Iranian coverage claimed Tehran would receive billions of dollars from frozen assets abroad immediately upon signing. U.S. officials rejected that, saying Iran would not get any frozen funds before carrying out the steps it has committed to under the agreement. Trump, who was angered by the reports and by domestic criticism in the United States, issued a sharply worded message against Iran.

Soon afterward, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi distanced himself from the media reports and said an agreement with the United States had “never been closer.” Trump said the Iranians had asked him to respond after the reports, which he said distorted the deal. “The Iranians apologized for putting out false information. The statement from the foreign minister was very positive,” Trump said, adding that he posted Araghchi’s words on Truth Social.

Trump also said the minister’s statement on X was the most positive sign yet from Tehran that a deal could be reached in the coming days. A senior American official said Trump spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday night and told him, “This is the deal, it is a great deal and it is time to end this war.” The official said Netanyahu had not been briefed in advance on Trump’s announcement, was surprised by it, and did not argue much, apparently understanding that a deal was coming and that he could not stop it.