U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that negotiators from the United States and Iran are “getting closer” to finalizing an agreement that would end the war, according to an interview given to CBS News and cited by Reuters.
The leader of the White House stated that a finalized deal would block Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and would guarantee that Tehran’s stockpile of enriched uranium is handled in a “satisfactory” manner.
“I will only sign an agreement through which we get everything we want,” Trump said, as reported by CBS News.
On Saturday, Iran, the United States, and Pakistan—serving as a mediator in the negotiations—announced that discussions aimed at ending the conflict, now approaching three months in duration, have shown signs of progress.
At the same time, individuals familiar with the talks indicate that mediators are nearing an agreement to extend the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran by an additional 60 days.
Debate in Washington over a potential return to military action
Earlier reports from sources cited by Axios and CBS revealed that the U.S. administration is weighing the possibility of launching new strikes against Iran. This comes after Donald Trump adjusted his schedule to remain in Washington over the weekend, intensifying speculation about a potential escalation of hostilities with Tehran.
According to CBS News, the U.S. military is actively preparing for the possibility of renewed strikes during the weekend.
On Friday morning, the president convened a meeting with his top advisers to review the situation in Iran, Axios also reported. However, CBS stressed that no final decision has been reached.
The United States previously carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last summer, also on a Saturday. This year’s military campaign against Iran began on February 28—again on a Saturday. The current period coincides with a long weekend in the U.S., as Monday marks Memorial Day, when financial markets are closed.
Iran claims restored military strength and warns of severe retaliation
Iranian officials say the country has rebuilt its military capabilities and caution that any renewed attacks by Washington would trigger a far harsher response.
Speaking on Saturday in Tehran, Iran’s chief negotiator and parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, told Pakistan’s army chief that Iran would not yield on its rights, according to state television cited by Reuters.
He emphasized that Iranian armed forces have regained their operational strength during the ceasefire period and warned that if the United States “recklessly resumes the war,” the response would be “even more crushing and more bitter.”
Iran reiterated that its military has been restored and again warned of “even more crushing” retaliation should U.S. attacks resume.
During the same meeting in Tehran, Qalibaf repeated that Iran would stand firm on its rights, according to state media reports referenced by Reuters.
He again underlined that Iran had rebuilt its military capabilities during the truce and cautioned that any renewed U.S. offensive would result in consequences that are “even more crushing and more bitter,” as also reported by Agerpres.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, is engaged in discussions with Iranian leadership in Tehran as part of intensified diplomatic efforts to bring the conflict to an end, according to dpa.
Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported that Munir met late Friday night with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with talks continuing past midnight.
No official details regarding these discussions have been made public, dpa noted.
As part of the mediation process, Field Marshal Munir was also expected to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian after his talks with parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Sources within Pakistan’s security establishment previously told dpa that Munir’s visit to Tehran is focused on exploring a potential draft agreement between the United States and Iran.
Possibility of renewed U.S. strikes this weekend
American media outlets report that the U.S. government is again considering potential military action against Iran, based on information from sources cited by Axios and CBS. Trump’s decision to remain in Washington over the weekend has further fueled speculation about a possible escalation.
CBS News sources indicate that the U.S. military is preparing contingency plans for possible strikes in the coming days.
Axios also reported that the president met with senior advisers on Friday morning to assess developments in Iran.
Despite these discussions, CBS emphasized that no definitive course of action has yet been approved.
The U.S. had previously targeted Iranian nuclear sites last summer on a Saturday, and this year’s campaign began on February 28, also a Saturday. The timing coincides with a long holiday weekend in the United States, as Monday marks Memorial Day, when stock markets remain closed.
