US-Iran War : Qatar, UAE and Pakistan urged Trump to back away from Iran strikes, report says

A peace agreement between the United States and Iran could be signed as early as this weekend, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday, raising hopes for the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and a potential end to the three-month conflict that has rattled global energy markets and claimed thousands of lives.

Trump says Iran deal could be signed ‘very soon’

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump announced what he described as a “great settlement” to end the war with Iran, saying a formal signing ceremony could take place in Europe within days.

“We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,” Trump said.

According to Trump, the agreement is awaiting finalisation of documents and could be signed “maybe in Europe” as soon as this weekend. He expressed confidence that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had personally approved the deal and suggested Tehran accepted the terms after suffering significant setbacks during the conflict.

Trump also said the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping lanes, would reopen once the agreement is formally signed.

Iran says no final decision yet

Despite Trump’s optimism, Iran signalled that a final decision has not yet been made.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said much of the draft agreement had been completed but stressed that Tehran would not compromise on its key principles.

“We have not reached a final conclusion on this matter,” Baghaei was quoted as saying by Iranian media. “This is a very important issue that is currently being reviewed by the relevant decision-making bodies.”

Gulf allies reportedly urged restraint

Meanwhile, a report by Politico said that the leaders of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan urged Trump to refrain from military action after he warned that Iran could be hit “very hard tonight.”

Citing administration officials and a diplomat, the report said the three countries, which maintain influence in Tehran and with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, conveyed that an initial agreement was within reach. Their intervention is believed to have helped persuade Trump to step back from plans for a potential strike.

India protests attacks on merchant vessels

As diplomatic efforts gathered pace, India strongly condemned a series of attacks on merchant ships carrying Indian crew members off the coast of Oman.

The Ministry of External Affairs said three vessels with Indian sailors on board were targeted by the American military over the past four days, resulting in the deaths of three Indian nationals. New Delhi has formally lodged a protest with Washington over the incidents.

“We attach high importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafaring community. When this particular attack on the ship Settebello occurred, we lodged a strong protest with the American side,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during an inter-ministerial media briefing.

Jaiswal said India had summoned the US Charge d’Affaires and conveyed its “deepest concern” over the attacks.

“We further conveyed that dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward for the peaceful resolution of the conflict, and that there should be unimpeded access through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law,” he said.

India also stressed that the attacks on commercial vessels must cease immediately and called for safe and uninterrupted maritime navigation in the region.