Iran Deal

The U.S. and Iran could sign a deal within the next few days, but a senior Trump administration official says the outcome is still not certain. The official said the sides are close to a memorandum of understanding that would address Iran's nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, the official said the U.S. is more confident than earlier in the day, but not fully convinced the agreement will be signed. “I maybe would have said 75% this morning. It's probably more like 80-85% now,” the official said. “But it's not 100%.” What The Deal Would Cover According to the official, the draft framework includes steps to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, an inspection regime on the Islamic Republic, and an end to Iran’s funding of violence. In return, Iran would receive significant economic relief if it complies. That relief could include the loosening of long-term sanctions and the unfreezing of assets, but the official stressed those benefits “only accrue if they actually deliver.” The U.S. also says the two sides have not yet decided where the deal would be signed. Public Optimism Is Rising, But Details Remain Contested The latest comments came after President Donald Trump and other officials expressed more optimism that a deal was close. Trump said in the Oval Office on Thursday that the U.S. had “just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,” while adding that final documents still needed to be completed. Pakistan has been mediating between the two countries throughout the war. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on X that a “final, agreed upon text” had been reached and that Pakistan was working with both sides to finalize the next steps. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said on X that a memorandum of understanding “has never been closer.” But the public version of the deal remains a point of dispute, and the U.S. official pushed back on reports about its contents. Iran’s Mehr News Agency earlier Friday reported 14 purported provisions in the draft, including U.S. commitments to lift oil sanctions, end its naval blockade and release Iran’s frozen funds. Trump later wrote on Truth Social that the public reporting about the deal has “NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing.” CNBC has reported that the U.S. expects both sides to like the text in its current form and to reach a signature within days unless problems emerge. For now, the administration’s message is that the deal is close, but still vulnerable to last-minute complications. Read more at: www.cnbc.com

Trump Says Iran Deal Is Near, But A Final Signature Still Isn’t Certain