US President Donald Trump on Friday, June 12, dismissed details of a new U.S.-Iran peace deal that Tehran had shared with various news organizations as fake and unrelated to the actual agreement.
Trump's Denial
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing." He further stated, "What they said, including their weak and pathetic statement on having a deal, bears no relation to the truth," and described the Iranians as "very dishonorable people to deal with."
Background on the Deal
The president had threatened and then called off fresh strikes against Iran on Thursday. He told reporters that Iran's supreme leader had approved a proposed settlement. Trump expected a signing ceremony in Europe over the weekend, with Vice President JD Vance representing the United States.
Vance echoed Trump's frustration on Friday, stating on social media that he had seen "a lot of fake information about a potential deal to reopen the strait and end Iran's nuclear weapons program."
Vice President's Clarification
Vance elaborated, "First, the Iranians are not receiving any cash, and no funds are being released for simply signing a deal or attending a meeting. The deal is structured to ensure that the US and its allies' concerns are prioritized, and that if the Islamic Republic of Iran meets its obligations, then economic benefits will flow to them and to the entire region. This deal has the potential to remake the region and lead to lasting peace."
White House and Iranian Statements
A senior White House official stated on Friday morning that the two nations were "very close" to reaching a deal. The agreement includes provisions to destroy Iran's highly enriched uranium, restrict its ability to build a nuclear weapon, and plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil trading passage.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also commented in a social media post on Friday morning, saying that the agreement "has never been closer." He urged the media to refrain from speculating about its content pending finalization, promising that all details would be shared with the public in due course.
Senator Graham's Reaction
Senator Lindsey Graham, a vocal proponent of the Trump administration's military operations against Iran, commended the president's Friday warning. Graham expressed hope that the new agreement would be "vastly different" from the nuclear deal struck under the former Obama administration, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
"As to the Iranian nuclear program, President Trump's red line has been no enrichment. I hope that holds, as it must," Graham wrote. He added that allowing Iran to enrich under the JCPOA was one of the major flaws of that deal, reiterating that any new agreement must come to Congress for scrutiny and approval.
