President announces breakthrough agreement approved by Iran’s leadership, while military action and regional tensions remain central to ongoing negotiations
U.S. President Donald Trump said on June 11 that a deal between the United States and Iran is close and could be signed within days.
“We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,” Trump said at the start of an Oval Office event. “And we’re going to be, subject to finalization of documents, which should get done over the next few days, probably have a signing, maybe in Europe.”
The president said Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the agreement.
Over recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly stated that Washington and Tehran were nearing a deal, though no agreement had previously materialized.
Iran announced that the signing ceremony would take place in Europe. Trump said U.S. Vice President JD Vance would attend on his behalf, while he remains scheduled to attend a UFC event at the White House on June 14.
The latest development came as Trump called off planned evening strikes against Iran amid signs that negotiations were nearing completion.
“Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on June 11.
“Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, [the United Arab Emirates], Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others. The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized—Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly.”
Earlier in the day, Trump had said the United States would carry out strikes against Iran.
“At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America,” he said.
In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump reiterated that the United States would seize Kharg Island, a key transit hub for Iran’s oil exports.
“My preference would be that,” he said. “I don’t know that America has the stomach for it.”
Trump also said there would “be more bombing [on the night of June 11],” adding that it would “be bigger, bigger, more powerful,” while noting that he preferred not to target bridges or power plants at this stage.
Later in the Oval Office, Trump said plans to take over Kharg Island had been suspended for the time being.
The United States carried out strikes inside Iran on June 9 and June 10 in response to Iran’s downing of a U.S. attack helicopter.
“The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression,” U.S. Central Command said in a statement.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on June 11 that “the United States’ illegal and criminal attacks in recent hours are not only a blatant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and the principles of respect for the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, but have also effectively rendered meaningless the ceasefire.”
Negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which began on Feb. 28, have continued in parallel with military developments.
Iran is seeking the release of frozen overseas assets, with the funds transferred directly to Tehran.
Tehran is also demanding an end to Israeli military operations in Lebanon, the removal of sanctions imposed on Iran, and international recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Trump has maintained that Iran must stop interfering with maritime traffic through the Strait and that any agreement must ensure Tehran cannot acquire nuclear weapons. Iran continues to deny allegations that it intends to develop such weapons.
Speaking to Fox News on June 11, Trump said discussions between the United States and Iran were ongoing.
U.S. financial markets surged following Trump’s latest announcement. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose nearly 750 points, or 1.5 percent. The S&P 500 gained 1.1 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.5 percent.
