U.S., Iran close to a deal to end war, official says

The Trump administration and Iran are close to a deal to end the war, with remaining gaps focused on “wording” of several points, a U.S. official briefed on the negotiations said Saturday.

Why it matters: It’s one of the strongest signals yet that the nearly three-month-old war could be nearing an end.

• The official stressed no final decision has been made by President Trump — and that he could still reject the deal and go for new strikes against Iran.

Reality check: Trump and his advisers thought they were close to a deal several times at earlier stages in the war, but none materialized.

The latest: Trump held a call on Saturday with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan.

• According to a source briefed on the call, several of the leaders urged Trump to take the deal.
• Trump is expected to speak on Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an Israeli official said.
• Vice President JD Vance, who was in Ohio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who was at West Point, were called back to Washington for a meeting to discuss the deal.

Catch up quick: Earlier Saturday, Trump told Axios he would be meeting with his negotiators later in the day to discuss Iran’s latest offer, and would likely decide by Sunday whether to resume the war.

• Trump said it was a “solid 50/50” as to whether he would be able to make a “good” deal or else “blow them to kingdom come.”

Zoom in: Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has been mediating between the parties, left Tehran on Saturday after meeting top officials there and trying to push a deal across the line.

• A deal was not finalized but Pakistan said there was “encouraging progress toward a final understanding.”
• The new draft that Trump intends to review on Saturday emerged from the Iran-Pakistan talks.

The other side: Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said Saturday that Iran and the U.S. were in the final stage of discussions on a memorandum of understanding to end the war.

• The spokesperson said the MOU would also deal with gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the U.S. blockade and releasing frozen Iranian funds.
• He added that a 30-60 day period of negotiations on a detailed agreement would follow.

This is breaking news. Check back for updates.

المصدر: Axios