Trump Says Iran Deal Is Near
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States and Iran were close to a deal, after a busy stretch of talks and calls with leaders across the Middle East. He described the agreement as largely negotiated, though he made clear that final details still had to be settled.
The announcement came after Trump said he had spoken with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain. He also said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Trump, both calls went well.
The latest push centers on ending the fighting and opening the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route that matters far beyond the region. That alone would be a major shift, since the waterway is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.
At the same time, the reporting shows there is still plenty left to iron out. The Associated Press noted that there was no mention of Iran’s nuclear program or highly enriched uranium in Trump’s post, even though those issues remain central to any lasting agreement. A regional official told the wire service that last-minute disputes could still derail the effort.
Iranian officials have also framed the talks in narrower terms. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the draft should focus on ending the war and on other issues Tehran sees as important. He also said sanctions relief remains a fixed demand and suggested that nuclear issues are not part of the current round of talks.
Baghaei said the sides have been narrowing differences over the past week, but he also pointed to a 30- to 60-day period for more detailed talks before a final agreement is reached. That leaves the process open, and it means nothing is locked in yet.
For now, the picture is simple. The Trump administration says the sides are closer than they were before. Iran says key issues still need to be worked out. And the final call may hinge on whether both sides can close the gap without blowing up the deal at the last minute.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 23, 2026