Trump made the assertion on Thursday during a virtual tele-rally for Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, a Republican ally running for governor. “We ended the war with Iran today, and they have agreed never to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, presenting the development as the central achievement of his administration’s pressure campaign. He described the nuclear pledge as the main objective of the conflict, saying it accounted for “95 per cent” of Washington’s purpose in confronting Tehran.
The remarks came after a volatile day in which Trump said he had cancelled planned US strikes against Iran because the final points of a settlement had been accepted. He later suggested that a formal deal could be signed within days in Europe, with Vice President JD Vance expected to lead the US side if the ceremony goes ahead. The proposed framework is understood to include an extension of the ceasefire, steps toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and a negotiation period focused on Iran’s nuclear programme and enriched uranium stockpile.
Tehran, however, stopped short of confirming Trump’s account. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said no final decision had been made on a possible agreement with the United States and warned that speculation over a signing venue or timetable was premature. He said large parts of a negotiating text had been discussed, but stressed that Iran would not compromise on its core positions.
The gap between Trump’s triumphant language and Tehran’s guarded response highlighted the fragility of a diplomatic process shaped by weeks of military escalation, maritime disruption and competing political pressures. Qatar and Pakistan have played central mediation roles, while Gulf governments have pushed hard to prevent another wave of strikes that could further disrupt shipping and energy markets.
The conflict began on 28 February when US and Israeli forces launched extensive strikes against Iran, targeting missile sites, air defences, nuclear-linked facilities and military infrastructure. Iran responded with attacks on Israel, US bases and regional targets, pushing the Gulf into its gravest security crisis in years. A conditional ceasefire was declared in April, but it has been repeatedly tested by clashes around the Strait of Hormuz and renewed strikes on military targets.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical element in the talks. Roughly a fifth of global oil and natural gas trade moves through the waterway in normal conditions, making any sustained closure a direct threat to energy security. Shipping volumes have remained sharply reduced, with tankers and liquefied natural gas carriers navigating under heightened risk. Trump has said a settlement would reopen the strait and ease pressure on fuel prices, a claim that helped push oil prices lower and lifted market sentiment after his remarks.
The nuclear dimension remains more difficult. Tehran has long maintained that its programme is for peaceful purposes, while Washington and its allies have demanded limits designed to prevent weaponisation. Trump’s claim that Iran had accepted a permanent bar on nuclear weapons was framed as a diplomatic victory, but the practical terms would depend on verification, access for inspectors, treatment of enriched uranium, sanctions relief and enforcement provisions.
Regional governments are watching the negotiations closely. Israel has supported pressure on Tehran but has been cautious about any arrangement that could leave Iran with strategic capacity intact. Gulf states have prioritised de-escalation and the restoration of maritime traffic, fearing that a prolonged confrontation could hit trade, energy exports and investment confidence. Turkey and European states are also expected to be involved if a signing process moves forward.
The domestic political setting in the United States added another layer to Trump’s announcement. By making the claim during a campaign-style event for Burt Jones, Trump tied foreign policy messaging to Republican electoral politics. He cast the apparent breakthrough as proof of strength, arguing that military pressure had forced Tehran to accept terms it had previously resisted.
