Trump Claims Iran Nuclear Deal Ends War, Tehran Rejects Assertions

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Washington had effectively ended its conflict with Iran, asserting that Tehran had agreed to abandon nuclear weapons ambitions. However, Iranian officials quickly pushed back, describing the claims as premature and unconfirmed.

Speaking during a tele-rally in support of a Senate candidate, Trump declared the war over and credited his administration with securing major concessions. “We ended the war with Iran today, and they have agreed never to have a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that a “great deal” had been reached with people expected to start returning home soon. He also mentioned cancelling planned strikes for a third consecutive day, hinting that a signing ceremony could be announced shortly.

 Mixed Signals from Tehran

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei dismissed reports of any agreement as “speculative,” stating clearly that “nothing has been finalised.” Multiple Iranian lawmakers echoed this position, insisting that core principles, including support for regional allies in the “Axis of Resistance,” remained non-negotiable. One MP emphasised that Tehran would not sacrifice its allies or compromise on key security matters.

According to reports citing a draft memorandum of understanding, negotiations are expected to centre on Iran’s nuclear programme and economic issues. The document reportedly includes US commitments to lift sanctions, withdraw forces, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and release frozen funds. Notably, Iran’s missile programme is said to remain off the negotiating table. The draft still requires final approval.

 Diplomatic Interventions Averted Strikes

Sources indicate that last-minute interventions by leaders from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan helped convince Trump to step back from further military action. The calls came after Trump had threatened to hit Iran “very hard” and target oil infrastructure, including Kharg Island. These previously unreported conversations reportedly assured the US president that a preliminary understanding was within reach.

The developments come amid continued tensions on multiple fronts. Israeli strikes were reported in southern Lebanon, with Hezbollah claiming several attacks on Israeli positions in response. A regional country reportedly denied Israel airspace access during recent operations, signalling shifting dynamics. Meanwhile, US forces said they intercepted Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz.

 Market Reactions and Regional Response

Financial markets responded positively to the de-escalation signals. Oil prices dropped, with Brent crude falling over one percent, as fears of major supply disruptions eased. Wall Street also rallied, with major indices posting solid gains late on Thursday.

Egypt welcomed Trump’s decision to cancel strikes and urged both sides to seize the “available opportunity” for a comprehensive agreement that could foster regional stability. The UN Secretary-General expressed grief over the deaths of Indian sailors in a separate tanker attack off Oman, highlighting the broader human cost of the conflict.

 Uncertainty Lingers Over Final Terms

Despite Trump’s repeated optimistic statements — now reportedly the 39th time he has suggested a deal is imminent — Iranian officials continue to stress that several key issues remain unresolved. Reports also suggest the proposed deal would require Israel to withdraw completely from Lebanon and halt operations against Hezbollah. Preparations for a possible signing ceremony in Europe, including US Air Force planes dispatched for Vice President JD Vance, have been noted, though Iran has not confirmed acceptance.

Local authorities in affected areas continue to monitor the situation closely. While diplomatic channels appear active, ground realities in Lebanon and the Gulf show persistent friction. Analysts suggest any final agreement would need to carefully balance nuclear concerns with broader regional security arrangements.

The coming days are expected to clarify whether the current momentum leads to a formal deal or remains part of ongoing high-stakes negotiations. For now, the contrast between Washington’s assertions and Tehran’s cautious stance underscores the complexities involved in reaching a lasting resolution.

Trump Says Iran Talks in 'Final Stages' as Tehran Defines Hormuz Boundaries, Mandates Vessel Permits

US President Donald Trump has said negotiations with Iran are in their "final stages", even as Tehran moved to assert tighter control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz by defining its supervisory boundaries and mandating permits for all vessels passing through the waterway.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said he was willing to give diplomacy "one shot" but warned that Washington could take "nasty" action if talks fail. "Ideally I'd like to see few people killed, as opposed to a lot," he said, adding that the situation was "right on the borderline."

Warning from Washington

The US President's comments come weeks after a ceasefire paused the US-Iran conflict. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has delivered a blunt ultimatum to Tehran's leadership, though Trump suggested Washington could wait a few days to "get the right answers" from Iranian officials.

Trump also claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "will do whatever I want him to do," signalling tight US control over its ally's posture in the ongoing tensions.

Tehran defines Hormuz boundaries

In a move that could escalate maritime tensions, Iran's newly-launched Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has formally defined the management supervision area of the Strait of Hormuz. According to a post on X, the supervision area stretches from the line connecting Kuh Mobarak in Iran and the south of Fujairah in the UAE in the east, to the line connecting the end of Qeshm Island in Iran and Umm al-Qaiwain in the UAE in the west.

The management body has made it clear that "frequencies in this range for passing through the Strait of Hormuz require coordination with the Persian Gulf Waterway Management and a permit from this entity."

Economic shockwaves widen

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has already disrupted more than 20 per cent of global fuel supplies, and the economic fallout is being felt far beyond West Asia. In Kenya, deadly protests over soaring fuel prices have claimed at least four lives so far, with demonstrators taking to the streets across the East African nation as petrol and diesel costs have surged.

Sri Lanka's tea industry is also under mounting pressure. Tea workers in the central hill region say rising living costs are making survival increasingly difficult. "We don't know whether we can cope. If this war continues, many people will face hardship," tea estate worker Jacintha Malar told Reuters from Hatton.

Saudi Arabia turns to fuel oil

Saudi Arabia is expected to rely more heavily on fuel oil to meet soaring summer electricity demand after disruptions linked to the Iran conflict reduced natural gas supplies. The kingdom has reportedly increased imports of fuel oil for power generation as extreme summer heat pushes up air-conditioning use. Saudi Aramco boosted fuel oil imports to around 1.7 million tonnes in April, an 86 per cent increase compared with the same period last year, according to analysts cited by Reuters.

Military posturing in Tehran

As threats of renewed conflict persist, Iran has intensified public displays of military strength in the capital. Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are now frequently seen training civilians to use Kalashnikov-style assault rifles, while military parades featuring armoured vehicles have become increasingly common. A ballistic missile similar to those used in recent attacks on Israel was showcased during a mass wedding ceremony in Tehran.

Iran has also claimed it possesses advanced domestically developed weapons that have not yet been combat-tested. Meanwhile, officials confirmed that Tehran is "reviewing" the US response to its latest proposal, with Pakistan acting as mediator for message exchanges between the two sides.