On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a planned U.S. bombing campaign against Iran, asserting that a comprehensive peace agreement is “almost finished.” The White House said seenior leaders in Tehran had approved the deal and that all parties, including Israel and a roster of Arab allies, had agreed to the final terms.

Trump Declares a Near‑Final Peace Pact with Tehran and Arab Allies

According to the White House, the agreement has been “effectively finished” and awaits a formal signing ceremony whose time and place will be revealed soon. The list of approving parties reportedly includes the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan,Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt. Trump’s statement came after hours of escalating military rhetoric, when he had earlier signaled a hard‑hit attack on Iran’s Kharg Island oil depot.

Iran and Israel Reportedly Deny Any Deal, Highlighting a Discrepancy

The Fars state media outlet in Iran said Tehran had not approved any specific text for such a deal, while a high‑ranking Israeli official told Channel 12 that the government was “entirely unaware” of any agreement. These reports, appearing shortly after Trump’s announcement, cast doubt on the administration’s claim that all relevant stakeholders had agreed. As the White House maintains its position, the reality on the ground remains contested.

Kharg Island, the “Forbidden Island,” Remains a Flashpoint

Kharg Island, which handles roughly 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil exports, is heavily fortified with naval mines, missile batteries, and Revolutionary Guard units. Trump had described a potential operation there as a “hard hit” that would cripple Iranian defenses, drawing parallels to a takeover strategy used in Venezuela. The island’s strategic importance makes any assault a high‑stakes military endeavor, especially given the U.S. blockade that remains in force until the deal is finalized.

Nuclear and Financial Stalemates Undermine the Claimed Consensus

Central to the negotiations is Iran’s nuclear program. Trump insists on a total halt to enrichment for at least two decades, while Iran proposes a ten‑year freeze and the dismantling of two of its three primary sites, keeping one operational. This mirrors criticisms of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which Trump has labeled the worst in history . Financially, Iran demands immediate release of frozen assets as a precondition for reeopening the Strait of Hormuz, whereas the U.S. prefers progress payments tied to benchmarks. These unresolved points suggest that the “comprehensive peace agreement” may still be a work in progress.

Regional Escalation Persists Despite the Halted Bombings

Even as the U.S . called off immediate strikes, the region remains volatile. Iran recently announced a puitive operation targeting a U.S. base in Jordan, with reports of missile interceptions by Jordan and Kuwait. The U.S. continues to conduct bombing raids on Iranian communication networks and air defense facilities, following the shoot‑down of an Apache helicopter. The international community now watches for the promised signing ceremony to determine wheher the alleged consensus holds or if the cycle of escalation resumes.