Trump: US-Iran Negotiations Nearing Deal to End War

US President Donald Trump stated in an interview with CBS News today that negotiators from the US and Iran are "getting closer" to finalizing a deal to end the Middle East war.

According to CBS, Trump said the final agreement would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and ensure its enriched uranium is handled in a "satisfactory manner."

Trump emphasized, "I will only sign an agreement that meets all our conditions."

Reuters reported that Iran, the US, and Pakistan, which is mediating the talks, all stated today that negotiations to end the war, which has lasted nearly three months, have made progress.

In another interview, Trump told the US news site Axios that he would discuss Iran's latest draft agreement with his advisors today and might decide by tomorrow whether to resume hostilities.

Axios reported that Trump put the chances of reaching a deal at 50 percent, adding, "We either get a good deal, or I blow them to smithereens."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is visiting India, reiterated Trump's demands: "Iran must never have nuclear weapons; the strait must remain open and free of tolls; they must hand over their enriched uranium."

Iran stated that after senior officials met with Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir, Tehran is focusing on finalizing a memorandum of understanding.

Pakistan's military noted that negotiations have made "encouraging" progress and are moving toward a final consensus. A Pakistani national security official revealed, "The content of the memorandum of understanding is being fine-tuned."

AFP reported that Iran mentioned differences still exist and that the debate over its nuclear program will not be included in initial talks, but Tehran is finalizing an agreement framework.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on state television that Tehran hopes to first draft a memorandum of understanding and an agreement framework consisting of 14 articles.

Baqaei added that he hopes that once the framework is finalized, the details of the final agreement can be settled within a "reasonable timeframe of 30 to 60 days."

Sources previously told Reuters that the proposed framework for the deal is expected to proceed in three stages: formally ending the war, resolving the Strait of Hormuz crisis, and launching a 30-day (extendable) negotiation period to reach a broader agreement.