WASHINGTON, June 12: US President Donald Trump said a deal to end the conflict with Iran is nearly complete and could be signed as early as this weekend in Europe. His remarks came after he called off planned military strikes against Iran, just hours after warning that the United States could target the country’s oil industry.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to attend the signing ceremony, which could take place in Europe within days.
Trump said he had spoken with leaders from several Middle Eastern nations, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Pakistan, regarding the latest round of negotiations.
Later, during a tele-rally supporting Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who is running for governor, Trump declared that the United States had effectively ended the conflict.
“I don’t know if you heard, but we ended the war with Iran today, and they have agreed never to have a nuclear weapon, something that we insisted on. That was the whole purpose,” Trump said.
Earlier at the White House, Trump stated that financial markets had responded positively to the proposed agreement and suggested that a formal signing would occur soon. He also said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen once the deal is finalized.
Describing the proposed agreement, Trump called it a “very strong” and “very detailed” memorandum of understanding. He claimed that Iran had committed to permanently abandoning any effort to obtain nuclear weapons.
“They will not purchase, develop in any way, shape, or form a nuclear weapon. They will not have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
Responding to questions about Iran’s willingness to negotiate, Trump said the country had endured significant pressure and now wanted the agreement more than he did.
Earlier on Thursday, Trump had threatened to strike Iran “very hard” and take control of Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub. However, he later announced that military action had been suspended due to progress in peace talks.
Trump’s comments about a possible weekend signing came during an event announcing the restoration of commercial fishing activities in protected areas of the Pacific Ocean.
In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly said that Washington and Tehran were close to reaching an agreement, though a final deal had yet to be formally concluded.
