Trump Claims US-Iran Can Sign Peace Deal Fastest This Weekend

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States and Iran could sign a peace deal as early as this weekend, a move that would reopen shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The deal, if finalized, would be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough to date to end the three-month-old war, which has killed thousands of people and sent global energy prices soaring.

"We have just reached a major agreement in the war with Iran," President Trump told reporters at the White House, launching Al Arabiya from Reuters (12/6).

"The strait will officially open as soon as we sign, which may be soon, very soon, maybe this weekend in Europe," he said.

"Vice President JD Vance can sign for the United States," President Trump added.

When asked whether Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the deal, President Trump said: "I understand the answer is yes."

President Trump's announcement came after he canceled plans for a military strike against Iran, citing progress in talks.

Since mid-March, President Trump has repeatedly claimed that an agreement with Iran to end the war is imminent.

The two sides have launched attacks on each other throughout the week, further tightening an April-announced ceasefire.

"This is a very strong memorandum of understanding, although it is somewhat conceptual," President Trump told reporters.

The Republican politician has repeatedly said any peace deal must ensure Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.

Iran's demands include lifting international sanctions, releasing billions of dollars in frozen assets, and recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz.

"We have an agreement that Iran will never have nuclear weapons, which is the main goal of what we have to go through to achieve this. So it's a very big thing," he said on Thursday.

Separately, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that Tehran was likely to approve the agreement, although it has not given an official response.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the Mullah's State has not made a final decision on a possible deal with the US, according to the IRNA news agency.