Trump Says Iran Peace Deal Near Completion With Hormuz

Published: 24 May 2026.The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.
Donald Trump has claimed that a peace agreement with Iran has been “largely negotiated”, signalling a potential breakthrough in efforts to end the conflict that erupted earlier this year following US and Israeli military action. The announcement, made on his social media platform after discussions with regional leaders and mediators, has sparked both cautious optimism and sharp scepticism across diplomatic circles.

Trump said that “final aspects and details” of a memorandum of understanding were still being finalised, but insisted that the framework of a deal between the United States, Iran and several regional powers had already been reached. Among the most significant elements of his claim was that the strategic Strait of Hormuz would be reopened as part of the agreement, a key development for global energy and shipping routes.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical waterway through which a large portion of the world’s oil exports pass, has remained one of the central flashpoints in the wider Middle East conflict. Any shift in its control or access carries immediate implications for global oil markets and international security.

However, Iranian state-linked media quickly challenged Trump’s assertions. The Fars news agency, which is closely associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that the Strait would remain under Iranian control and described any suggestion of an imminent agreement as “inconsistent with reality”. It emphasised that decisions over maritime passage, navigation routes and permits would continue to fall solely under Iranian authority.

This public contradiction highlights the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations and raises questions about whether a unified agreement has truly been reached or whether parallel diplomatic messaging is being used for strategic leverage.

Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary in the latest round of discussions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed optimism about the progress of talks and said Islamabad hoped to host further negotiations “very soon”. He described recent conversations between regional leaders, including officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Pakistan, as “productive and constructive”.

Pakistan’s military leadership, particularly army chief General Syed Asim Munir, has reportedly played a significant behind-the-scenes role in facilitating communication between Tehran and Washington. Sources indicate that Munir has held multiple meetings with senior Iranian officials in recent weeks as part of broader diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.

According to reports circulating in international media, a revised draft proposal has been submitted that could see a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under temporary ceasefire conditions. The proposal allegedly includes a 60-day truce period during which Iran would retain operational control of the waterway while allowing regulated passage of commercial shipping without tolls or restrictions.

In exchange, the United States would reportedly ease restrictions on Iranian ports and allow limited oil exports to resume, alongside renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. Some accounts also suggest that frozen Iranian assets abroad, potentially worth tens of billions of dollars, could be partially released as part of a broader settlement.

Despite these reported outlines, major gaps remain between competing narratives. While US officials cited by international outlets suggest progress has been made, Iranian sources continue to insist that key sovereignty issues remain unresolved, particularly over maritime control and nuclear oversight.

The geopolitical stakes surrounding any potential deal are significant. The Strait of Hormuz handles a substantial share of global energy shipments, meaning any disruption or reopening agreement would directly affect global oil prices and supply chains. Financial markets have already shown sensitivity to early reports of a possible breakthrough, with traders closely monitoring developments for signs of stability or renewed escalation.

The diplomatic push comes after months of heightened conflict in the region following US and Israeli strikes in February. Since then, indirect negotiations have reportedly taken place through intermediaries, with Pakistan increasingly positioning itself as a neutral facilitator capable of engaging both Western and Middle Eastern stakeholders.

Within the United States, reactions to Trump’s announcement have been sharply divided. Critics from both political and security circles have questioned the viability of any agreement that does not clearly address Iran’s nuclear programme or long-term regional military influence. Supporters, however, have described the reported framework as a potential step toward de-escalation after months of escalating tensions.

Former US officials have also weighed in, with some warning that any deal resembling earlier nuclear agreements could face strong domestic opposition, particularly from political figures who favour a more hardline approach toward Tehran.

As negotiations continue behind closed doors, uncertainty remains over whether a final agreement is imminent or whether competing political narratives are shaping public perception of progress. While Trump has framed the situation as a near-complete diplomatic breakthrough, Iranian officials and state-aligned media continue to reject that characterisation.

For now, the prospect of a peace deal remains unresolved, suspended between diplomatic optimism and geopolitical distrust. What is clear is that any outcome will have far-reaching consequences not only for the Middle East, but for global energy markets and international security architecture.