Trump says Iran deal 'largely negotiated'

President Donald Trump said on May 23 that a memorandum of understanding on a peace deal with Iran had been “largely negotiated,” adding that final details would be announced shortly. Trump made the statement in a Truth Social post after calls from the Oval Office with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain. He also said he spoke separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and described that call as having gone “very well.” Reuters, the Associated Press and other outlets reported the post and the regional calls on Saturday. ### What exactly did Trump say was close? Trump wrote on May 23 that “An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization” between the United States, Iran and other countries involved in the talks. He said the arrangement related to a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE” and said “final aspects and details” were still being discussed. The Strait of Hormuz was central to Trump’s description of the draft accord. He said the waterway “will be opened,” presenting that as one element of the emerging agreement after months of conflict that disrupted shipping through one of the world’s most important oil transit routes. ### Who else was involved in the talks? Trump named Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Zayed of the UAE, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani of Qatar, Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah and Bahrain’s King Hamad as participants in the broader diplomatic push. Pakistan was cited by Reuters as a key mediator. Reuters reported that Pakistani officials described the latest round as “encouraging” and that sources involved in the talks said the framework under discussion was intended to end the war, address the Strait of Hormuz crisis and open a 30-day negotiating window for a broader agreement. ### Did Iran confirm Trump’s version? Iranian officials signaled progress on May 23 but did not fully match Trump’s account. Reuters reported that Iran said it was working toward a memorandum of understanding after senior officials met Asim Munir in Tehran. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency pushed back on Trump’s claim that the Strait would be reopened on his terms. Reuters, CNBC and NPR reported that Fars said the latest text would leave management of the Strait with Iran and called Trump’s description of a near-final agreement “inconsistent with reality.” NPR also reported that Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said the Strait’s status was being discussed with Oman. ### What remains unresolved? Nuclear issues remained unclear on May 23. CNBC reported that Trump’s public statement did not spell out terms on Iran’s nuclear program or enriched uranium, even though those issues had been central to previous U.S. demands. Reuters reported that one proposed sequence would start with a formal end to the war, move to the Strait of Hormuz and then open a 30-day period for broader negotiations, with an extension possible. That suggests the “largely negotiated” language referred to a framework rather than a final, fully detailed settlement. ### Why did Netanyahu matter here? Benjamin Netanyahu mattered because Trump explicitly linked him to the diplomacy. Trump said his separate call with the Israeli prime minister “went very well,” and several outlets, including NewsNation and NPR, reported that line from the post. Israel’s role is material because the war began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, according to Reuters and CNBC. Any agreement that pauses or ends hostilities would require coordination with Israel as well as with the Arab states and Pakistan that Trump listed in his statement. ### What happens next? May 24 is the next immediate marker. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on May 23 that there had been “some progress made” and that the administration might have “something to say” later Saturday or Sunday, according to NewsNation. The next formal step appears to be a memorandum of understanding. CNBC reported, citing Iran’s foreign ministry, that such a first-phase document could lead to broader talks within 30 to 60 days, while Reuters said final acceptance by Washington was still not guaranteed.