Trump announces U.S.-Iran deal to end war 'largely negotiated'

by · UPI

May 23 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Saturday said that the United States and Iran have "largely negotiated" a deal to end the Iran war, and that final aspects and details of it are being worked out.

Iran and Pakistan had submitted a revised proposal to the United States early Saturday in the hope of ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that he had "a very good call" with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan that covered the details of a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Israel "pertaining to PEACE."

He said he also discussed the possible MOU with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a conversation he said also "went very well."

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"An Agreement has largely been negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries [in the region]," Trump said in the post.

"Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly," he said. "In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opens."

Trump told Axios earlier Saturday that he would meet with his negotiators to discuss the offer, and said the odds were a "solid 50/50" on whether he would be able to make a deal or "blow them to kingdom come."

Trump also skipped Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding in the Bahamas Saturday because of the Iran war, he said.

"While I very much wanted to be with my son, Don Jr., and the newest member of the Trump Family, his soon to be wife, Bettina, circumstances pertaining to Government, and my love for the United States of America, do not allow me to do so," the president said on Truth Social. "I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important period of time. Congratulations to Don and Bettina!"

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier alluded to news coming possibly today.

"There may be news later today. I don't have news for you at this very moment, but there might be some news a little later today. There may not be. I hope there will be, but I'm not sure yet," Rubio told reporters in New Delhi on Saturday.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told Axios that some leaders in the gulf have pushed Trump to strike Iran to weaken the regime and get better terms.

But other leaders and the president's advisors are urging him to take the deal that's been offered and said that Iran can destroy Gulf oil operations if attacked.

"Count me as a strong skeptic that Iran can't be prevented from terrorizing the Strait of Hormuz and that we can't defend vital interests in the region after massive attacks against Iran -- if they have been truly obliterated they shouldn't be able to do either," Graham said. "Time will tell. I am hoping for a good outcome still."

Trump also had planned to meet with Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Vice President Vance later Saturday.

"I think one of two things will happen: either I hit them harder than they have ever been hit, or we are going to sign a deal that is good," Trump said.

Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said on X that he discussed the "achievements of the negotiations with the officials of my country after returning from Tehran" with Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

"With conservative optimism, we can hope that, if the other side is adequately committed, a positive stride is taking shape which is the result of the positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran based on dignity, the steadfastness of the courageous armed forces and the resistance of the brave Iranian nation, as well as the initiative and dedicated endeavors of the Pakistani mediator," Moghadam said.