Key facts
- President Trump announced a potential peace deal with Iran could be signed as early as Sunday.
- Iran disputed the timeline but indicated the signing could occur in the "coming days".
- Details of the agreement are ambiguous, with differing interpretations on provisions like the Strait of Hormuz and frozen assets.
- Democratic lawmakers criticized the deal, with one calling it a "surrender document".
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran.
- Trump stated the Strait of Hormuz would "open to all" and the US would eventually obtain Iran's nuclear material.
US President Donald Trump announced that a peace deal to end the war with Iran could be signed as early as Sunday, though Iran disputed the timeline, suggesting it could happen in the "coming days." The details of the agreement remain scant and subject to differing interpretations, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the unfreezing of Iranian assets. Trump claimed the Strait would "open to all" and that the US would eventually obtain Iran's nuclear material.
Democratic lawmakers have criticized the potential deal, with Senator Adam Schiff expressing skepticism and Congressman Seth Moulton describing it as a "surrender document." Moulton also highlighted the cost of the war, noting 14 American deaths and $100 billion in taxpayer money. Republican lawmakers, however, credited Trump's pressure for bringing Iran to the negotiating table.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog posted a birthday message to Trump, thanking him for confronting "Iran's empire of evil" and for his commitment to Israel's security. However, Israeli media expressed dismay and concern over the anticipated deal, fearing it would empower Tehran. Columnists noted Israel's inability to influence the agreement's content and described it as a "bad agreement" that empowers Iran, which they believe has arrived at the negotiating table from a position of strength.
Reports indicate that Iran is pushing for the US to unfreeze its assets, estimated to be worth over $100 billion. Senior adviser Mohsen Rezaei stated Trump agreed to unfreeze $24 billion, though Vice President JD Vance indicated this would be conditional on Iran meeting its obligations. Reuters reported that the UAE agreed to release up to $10 billion, a claim Abu Dhabi denied. Iranian media also reported that the initial agreement would declare an end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.