President Donald Trump announced Saturday that a peace deal with Iran has been largely negotiated to end the current conflict [1].
The agreement is critical because it seeks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global commercial shipping that has been disrupted by war.
Trump shared the update on his social-media platform on May 23, 2026 [1]. He said the deal would address the conflict launched by the U.S. and Israel in February 2026 [1]. While a fragile cease-fire has been in place since April 8, 2026 [2], the new agreement intends to establish a more permanent resolution.
"The deal has been largely negotiated," Trump said [3]. He said that a Memorandum of Understanding is still being finalized to solidify the terms.
Negotiations for the deal involved Pakistan, Israel, and Gulf allies [4]. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the U.S. president following the news. "Congratulations to President Trump on his peace efforts," Sharif said [5].
Despite the announcement, contradictions remain regarding the status of the waterway. Trump said the deal would open the Strait of Hormuz [1], but Iran's Fars news agency reported that the strait will remain under Iranian control [1].
Trump said that the final terms are still being polished. "The final aspects and details of the deal are currently being discussed and will be announced soon," Trump said [6].
“"The deal has been largely negotiated,"”
The proposed deal represents an attempt to stabilize the Middle East after three months of active conflict and a tenuous cease-fire. However, the disagreement between the U.S. and Iranian state media over the control of the Strait of Hormuz suggests that the most strategically sensitive point of the negotiation remains unresolved, which could jeopardize the final signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.
