U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday a halt to further military strikes against Iran, indicating that an initial peace agreement is close to being finalized. The President noted that a formal signing ceremony for the deal will be arranged in the near future.
The sudden announcement came only hours after Trump had warned of a potential third consecutive night of airstrikes. While the U.S. administration expressed optimism, Iran did not issue an immediate official response. Tehran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that the Iranian government has not yet formally approved the specific language of the proposed agreement.
Despite the apparent discrepancy, diplomatic sources from both Western and Iranian sides indicate that negotiations to solidify a ceasefire—which has been observed since early April—have gained substantial momentum.
According to three Iranian officials, a broad political understanding has been reached, though negotiators continue to iron out specific details. A primary sticking point remains the release of billions of dollars in Iranian oil revenues currently frozen in international bank accounts.
The proposed interim framework reportedly involves a temporary easing of Iranian control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. Highly complex issues, including Tehran’s nuclear program and its stockpile of enriched uranium, have been sidelined for subsequent discussions.
It remains uncertain whether this framework will satisfy critics within the Republican Party, who maintain that any diplomatic agreement must entirely prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Analysts suggest that the President is eager to avoid having this new arrangement unfavorably compared to the 2015 nuclear accord, which he withdrew from during his first term.
Taking to social media, the President asserted that the path forward has already been cleared.
”Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved,” Trump stated.
However, the President underscored that economic and military pressure will persist until the paperwork is finalized.
”The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized — Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly,” he added.
According to Trump, the deal has already received approval from the “highest level” of Iranian leadership, alongside backing from key regional allies including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Following the announcement, global markets responded positively, with U.S. stock indexes rising and international oil prices dipping.
The conflict, which escalated following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, has resulted in thousands of casualties—particularly within Iran and Lebanon—while causing significant volatility in global energy markets.