Trump says a US-Iran deal could be reached “soon” and possibly this weekend, as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict gather momentum across the region. Follow along for the latest developments from the war in West Asia.
The US and Iran appeared to move a step closer to negotiations on Thursday, with President Donald Trump indicating that a deal could be reached “soon” and possibly as early as this weekend. He also claimed he understood Iran’s Supreme Leader had approved the proposed framework.
The diplomatic push comes as regional efforts to defuse tensions gather pace.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office said Trump spoke with Benjamin Netanyahu about an emerging memorandum of understanding aimed at bringing Iran into negotiations.
While Israel is not a party to the proposed arrangement, Netanyahu said he welcomed Trump’s commitment that any final agreement would address Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, enrichment infrastructure, missile programme, and support for armed groups across the region.
However, Iranian diplomats have so far maintained that negotiations will focus only on ending the war for now and discuss details such as nuclear programmes later.
In a further sign of diplomatic engagements, senior national security officials from the UAE and Iran held face-to-face talks to prevent wider escalation, according to Bloomberg.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused the US of carrying out “armed robbery and State piracy” after attacks on Indian commercial vessels that reportedly killed at least three Indian nationals, calling on the international community to hold Washington accountable.
Follow for the latest on the war in West Asia.