US and Iran 'close' to peace deal after talks with regional leaders

Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington and Tehran were close to finalising a broad peace agreement after a round of calls with leaders from the Middle East, South Asia and beyond.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said a memorandum of understanding had been “largely negotiated” between the United States, Iran and several regional states, with only final details remaining.

“I am in the Oval Office at the White House where we just had a very good call with President Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Qatari Minister Ali al Thawadi, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah of Pakistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi of Egypt, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran, and all things related to a Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE,” Trump wrote.

The post represented one of Trump’s most expansive diplomatic claims in recent months on Iran and regional security. He added that he had also spoken separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing that call as going “very well”.

“An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalisation between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries, as listed,” Trump said. “Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly.”

A notable element in Trump’s message concerned the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which a large share of the world’s oil shipments pass. “In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened,” he wrote.

The comments are likely to attract attention in India, which relies heavily on Gulf crude and has long been vigilant about instability in the Strait of Hormuz. Reduced tensions with Iran could ease concerns over energy prices, shipping disruptions and supply chains.

Trump did not provide details of the memorandum or outline the roles of the countries involved. The White House did not immediately release further information.

(Inputs from IANS)