WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said that a major agreement involving Iran and several regional countries has been “largely negotiated”, with final discussions currently under way before a formal announcement.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he held a high-level telephone conversation from the Oval Office with a number of Middle Eastern and regional leaders to discuss Iran and a broader memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 23, 2026
According to Trump, the talks included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Trump said the discussions focused on Iran and a wider regional peace framework involving multiple countries. “An agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalisation between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other countries,” he stated.
The US president also revealed that he separately spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing the conversation as “very good”. He added that the remaining aspects of the proposed agreement were still being discussed and would be announced soon.
Trump further claimed that, as part of the broader understanding, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, although he did not provide additional details regarding the mechanism or timeline. The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes, carrying a significant portion of global oil shipments.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ongoing regional peace efforts following a high-level telephone conversation led by US President Donald Trump with several leaders from the Middle East and South Asia.
He expressed hope that Pakistan would host the next round of Iran-US talks “very soon” as he praised President Donald Trump for his peace efforts and ongoing diplomatic engagement.
In a statement shared on X, Shehbaz Sharif described the discussions as “very useful and productive”, saying they provided an important platform for consultations on the evolving regional situation and possible pathways towards long-term stability.
I congratulate President Donald Trump on his extraordinary efforts to pursue peace and for holding a very useful and productive telephone call earlier today, with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt, the UAE, Jordan and Pakistan. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 24, 2026
Sharif noted that Pakistan was represented during the discussions by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Syed Asim Munir, whose role he praised for contributing to the wider diplomatic process.
The prime minister’s remarks came shortly after Trump stated that a broad understanding with Iran had largely been negotiated, while final details were still under discussion.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that a deal with Iran could be reached “as soon as Saturday”, as Tehran signalled it was focused on finalising a memorandum of understanding with Washington amid Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
“There is a chance that, whether it’s later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say,” Rubio told reporters in New Delhi, adding that he hoped for “good news”.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was currently focused on finalising a memorandum of understanding with the United States through Pakistan-mediated talks.
According to Iran’s state media, Baghaei described the mediation process as “time-consuming”, citing decades of hostility between Tehran and Washington.
He said some points and wording remained under discussion, while proposals were being reviewed by both sides.
“Some points and wordings on which there were still disagreements were discussed and proposals were made, some of which are still being reviewed and opinions are being expressed,” he was quoted as saying by IRNA news agency.
Baghaei also thanked Pakistan for its mediation efforts in facilitating dialogue.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he will discuss the latest Iran draft agreement with advisers and might make a decision by Sunday, Axios reported, citing an interview with the US President.
“Either we reach a good deal or I’ll blow them to a thousand hells,” Trump was quoted as saying.
Trump said that the US and Iran are “getting a lot closer” to finalising an agreement, according to a CBS interview, as mediator Pakistan intensified diplomatic efforts to end the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
The US President told CBS News that the possible deal would see Iran’s enriched uranium “satisfactorily handled”, though he would not provide more details.
“I will only sign a deal where we get everything we want,” he added.
Pakistan’s mediation efforts
Pakistan is playing a crucial mediator role in the talks between Washington and Tehran.
US leaders have repeatedly acknowledged Islamabad’s involvement in facilitating negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir concluded a “highly productive” visit to Tehran on Saturday after holding high-level meetings with Iranian leaders as part of ongoing mediation efforts, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
During the visit, the Field Marshal held high-level engagements with Iranian leadership as part of Pakistan’s ongoing mediation efforts aimed at promoting de-escalation and constructive engagement, amidst the regional tensions that have simmered after the ceasefire on 8th April, 2026, ISPR said in a statement.
Field Marshal Munir held meeting with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, ISPR said.
فرمانده ارتش پاکستان با پزشکیان دیدار و گفتوگو کرد pic.twitter.com/ulBZiWJJ1N
— خبرگزاری ایسنا (@isna_farsi) May 23, 2026
The discussions remained focused upon expediting the consultative process underway to support peace and stability in the region and to reach to a conclusive agreement.
The engagements were held in a positive and constructive environment and contributed meaningfully towards the mediation process, ISPR said. The intensive negotiations over the last twenty four hours have resulted in encouraging progress towards a final understanding.
عاصم منیر، فرمانده ارتش پاکستان با قالیباف دیدار کرد pic.twitter.com/hEABYOO50l
— خبرگزاری ایسنا (@isna_farsi) May 23, 2026
The Iranian leadership appreciated Pakistan’s sincere and constructive role in facilitating dialogue and promoting peaceful settlement of regional issues.
Field Marshal Asim Munir, Commander of the Pakistan Army, met FM @araghchi in Tehran to discuss diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation and promoting peace, stability, and security in West Asia. #Iran #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/NccIMh3DD5
— Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (@Iran_GOV) May 23, 2026
Upon arrival, the Field Marshal was received by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni along with senior civil and military officials.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saw off Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Munir and Interior Minister Mohsen Naqvi at the end of their visit.
Field Marshal Munir arrived in Tehran on Friday to discuss regional peace, the ongoing US-Iran diplomatic process, and Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
Earlier, Field Marshal Munir and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a meeting to exchange views on the latest diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the US-Israel war on Iran, the Iranian government said.
“Field Marshal Asim Munir met FM in Tehran to discuss diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation and promoting peace, stability, and security in West Asia,” the government of Iran wrote on X.
Qatar discusses Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts with US
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a telephone call with US President Donald Trump to discuss regional tensions and Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
A statement from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the two leaders reviewed efforts to reduce tensions and maintain stability, with emphasis on supporting diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran.
They also discussed maritime security, protection of strategic waterways, and stability of global energy and supply chains.
Sheikh Tamim reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to peaceful resolution and support for diplomatic initiatives.
Pakistan’s mediation efforts
Pakistan has positioned itself as a key mediator in US-Iran negotiations to end the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
On April 8, Islamabad brokered a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran and later intensified efforts to advance negotiations toward a longer-term settlement.
Pakistan also hosted direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad last month. Although the talks ended without a final agreement,however, they helped preserve diplomatic engagement.
US President Donald Trump and US officials, including Rubio, have also recently acknowledged Pakistan’s role in facilitating contacts, signalling cautious optimism in Washington.
Trump has separately said negotiations with Iran were ongoing through mediator Pakistan.
