Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, June 12

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington and Tehran were close to an agreement to end months of conflict, but Iran insisted that negotiations were still ongoing and no final deal had been reached.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the two sides had reached what he described as a “great settlement” and expressed confidence that an agreement preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon could be signed within days. He said a signing ceremony could take place in Europe once the remaining documentation was completed.

Iran, however, pushed back against reports that a deal had been concluded. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said reports of a final agreement were “speculative” and that negotiations remained unresolved.

The conflicting statements came amid renewed uncertainty over efforts to end hostilities that erupted after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year and subsequent retaliatory attacks by Tehran. Although a ceasefire was reached in April, sporadic exchanges of fire have continued.

Hours before expressing optimism about a deal, Trump had warned that the United States could strike Iran again and threatened action against key Iranian oil facilities, including Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export terminal.

Trump said the proposed agreement would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global energy supplies, and ensure that Iran would not develop nuclear weapons. U.S. officials said negotiations were focused on a broader framework that would include restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme and the reopening of maritime trade routes.

A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was not a party to the proposed memorandum of understanding but supported efforts aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities and missile programme.

Iranian officials have maintained that Tehran will not compromise on what they describe as its core interests and have warned against further attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure.

Despite growing optimism from both sides, no formal agreement has been announced. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a deal had “never been closer”, while U.S. officials said negotiations were progressing but remained subject to final approval and implementation arrangements.