Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that a nuclear deal with the US is "closer than ever," according to Israel Hayom. Simultaneously, President Donald Trump dismissed leaked Iranian conditions for the agreement as "complete fake news," reinforcing the fast-moving nature of the negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed to Israel Hayom moments ago that a nuclear deal with the US is "closer than ever," urging the media to refrain from speculating on its contents. The remark follows his earlier statement, reported by The Zioneer at 17:56, describing the Islamabad memorandum as nearing finalization. Just minutes earlier, at 17:01, President Donald Trump dismissed the Iranian-leaked conditions as "complete fake news" and warned Tehran after an overnight drone strike on Indian ships. The rapid succession of statements underscores how the two sides continue to frame the deal's terms in starkly different language, even as diplomatic channels push toward a final text.
This development builds on a fast-moving thread. At 17:01, Trump first accused Iran of leaking fabricated terms, calling the Iranians "dishonorable people" and warning them to "get their act together — and fast." Shortly thereafter, a senior Trump administration official told Reuters the deal would dismantle Iran's nuclear program, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and halt funding to terror groups, while denying a signing ceremony in Geneva on Sunday had been agreed. At 16:44, The Zioneer reported Trump's dismissal of the leaked terms as irrelevant, alongside his warning after the drone strikes. Earlier, at 17:56, The Zioneer had reported Araghchi's own framing of the memorandum as "closer than ever."
As The Zioneer reported over the past two days, the deal has been described as "very close" by US Vice President JD Vance (June 10, 12:08), while an Iranian Foreign Ministry adviser stated on June 10 that no deal would be reached until all Iranian demands are met. A Pakistani source told Al-Hadath on June 10 that the two sides remain "far from signing." Iran's Fars News Agency reported on June 11 that Tehran is leaning toward approval, while Trump told Prime Minister Netanyahu on June 9 that a breakthrough is days away. The conflicting signals from both sides and intermediaries highlight the volatility of the negotiation process.
While Araghchi's latest confirmation is the most explicit Iranian endorsement of proximity to a deal to date, Trump's simultaneous rejection of the leaked terms leaves open the question of whether the two sides have actually agreed on the same text. The UK's stance on the agreement also remains unclear, and Iran's position on its broader regional activity — including attacks on shipping — has not been addressed in this latest exchange.
6 developments
- DevelopingIranian Deputy FM: MoU drafted in distrust, text to be released only after signing
- DevelopingIran's Foreign Ministry spokesman: We'll sign a deal only when it serves our interests
- DevelopingIranian FM Araghchi says Iran will enter US nuclear talks on day MOU is signed
- DevelopingIran suggests 60-day MoU window may be extended
Source and signal
- Internal intake