US-Israel-Iran War Highlights: Won't 'Rush Into Deal' With Tehran, Says Donald Trump

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The US and Iran have agreed in principle to a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the New York Times reported, quoting a US official as saying.

Al Arabiya reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian maintained that Tehran was not pursuing nuclear weapons and accused Israel of fuelling instability in the region.

"We are ready to reassure the world that we are not seeking nuclear weapons," Pezeshkian said. "Our negotiating team will not compromise when it counts to our country's dignity and sovereignty."

According to media reports, senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaee warned that Tehran could respond forcefully if the Strait of Hormuz came under attack. "If the enemy attacks the Strait of Hormuz, we will break the naval blockade and may withdraw from the NPT," Rezaee said, referring to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

In a post on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and Trump agreed that " any final agreement with Iran must eliminate the nuclear danger".

"That means dismantling Iran's nuclear enrichment sites and removing its enriched nuclear material from its territory," Netanyahu said, while reiterating that Israel reserved the right to defend itself "against threats on every front, including Lebanon". "Our partnership has never been stronger," Netanyahu added, asserting that both leaders remained aligned on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes!" US President Donald Trump said. "Our relationship with Iran is becoming a much more professional and productive one. They must understand, however, that they cannot develop or procure a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb."

"I would like to thank, thus far, all of the countries of the Middle East for their support and cooperation, which will be further enhanced and strengthened by their joining the Nations of the historic Abraham Accords and, who knows, perhaps the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to join, as well! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP," the president posted on Truth Social.

"The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side. The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed," Donald Trump posted on Truth Social.

US President Donald Trump shared a post on Truth Social featuring the word "adios" above an image depicting explosions near boats carrying Iranian flags, amid heightened geopolitical tensions involving Tehran.

The graphic, styled like a social media post from Trump's verified account, showed a drone flying over the sea while multiple vessels appeared to explode in flames. The image also included the Spanish word “Adios”, meaning “goodbye”.

Trump did not add any accompanying explanation or caption to the repost.

In the past day, 33 ships, including oil tankers, container ships, and other commercial vessels, crossed the Strait of Hormuz after obtaining permission, with coordination and security provided by the IRGC Navy, Fars News Agency reported.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters on Sunday that Tehran has not agreed to hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, pushing back against earlier reports suggesting such a commitment was part of ongoing negotiations with the United States.

The source said Iran's nuclear programme was not included in the preliminary understanding currently under discussion between Washington and Tehran.

 “The nuclear issue will be addressed in negotiations for a final agreement and is therefore not part of the current deal. There has been no agreement over Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile to be shipped out of the country,” the source told Reuters.

The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, while talking to reporters in New Delhi on the subject of the truce negotiations said, “I do think perhaps there is the possibility that in the next few hours the world will get some good news." 

Iran’s Tasnim semi-official news agency is reportedly saying it has not yet agreed to any actions on its nuclear program and that under the potential memorandum of understanding between America and Tehran involves waiving off sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil. 

 "What has held the global energy market hostage over recent years has been the unlawful and unjust sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran’s oil exports; sanctions that have been designed and enforced in violation of the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, with the aim of exerting economic pressure on the Iranian nation," the embassy stated. 

Iran further underlined, "what is currently disrupting and threatening maritime security and the passage of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are the military, provocative, and adventurist actions of the United States and the Zionist regime in the region. These two regimes are the principal drivers behind the escalation of global security and energy crises and seek to advance their political and military objectives through the creation of instability and insecurity."

The embassy in its official statement said, "As one of the world’s major exporters of oil and energy, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been prepared to make its energy resources available to all countries, including the Republic of India."

"The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India rejects the recent remarks made by the United States Secretary of State regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran and emphasises that such allegations constitute a clear attempt to distort the realities of the region and to deflect attention from the destabilising policies of the United States and the Zionist regime," an official press release stated. 

Iran has reportedly agreed to give up its enriched uranium stockpile as part of the on-going negotiations with United States.

The breakthrough, reported by The New York Times, citing two US officials, marks a dramatic pivot in diplomatic efforts between the two nations. 

The agreement the US and Iran are reportedly close to signing involves a 60-day ceasefire extension during which the strait of Hormuz would be reopened, according to Axios.

During that time Iran would be able to freely sell oil and negotiations would be held on curbing Iran’s nuclear program, the US news site is reporting, citing an American official, while also saying the details were in an agreement “draft” as it currently stood.

“Those details have not been confirmed by the Iranian side, though Tehran has also indicated a deal is getting close,” the report says.

Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif in a post on X said, "I congratulate President Donald Trump on his extraordinary efforts to pursue peace and for holding a very useful and productive telephone call earlier today, with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt, the UAE, Jordan and Pakistan. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir represented Pakistan in the telephone call and I greatly appreciate his tireless efforts during the entire process.The discussions provided a useful opportunity to exchange views on the current regional situation and how to move the ongoing peace efforts forward to bring lasting peace in the region. Pakistan will continue its peace efforts with utmost sincerity and we hope to host the next round of talks very soon."

The Iran war has plagued the world in more than one way and with the prospect of an end has everyone, including myself, on the edge of my seat. 

I am Khushi, and I will take you through all latest and major developments regarding the West Asia conflict. Stay tuned!

Donald Trump's announcement has renewed hopes of an end to the three-month long Iran war. However, contradictory claims over the ownership of the Strait of Hormuz have still clustered doubt over the final terms of agreement.