Two days after promising a “final determination,” Trump still has not signed the Iran deal.
CBS News confirmed there was no decision as of Sunday morning. Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is sending a very different message.
CNN reported that Hegseth told reporters Saturday the US military is ready to resume combat in the Persian Gulf if required — and is more strongly positioned now than on day one of the conflict. The Iran deal remains in limbo between diplomacy and escalation.
What Trump Said Before Going Silent
Trump had announced Friday he would make his “final determination” in the White House Situation Room. He laid out conditions on social media: Iran must agree to never have a nuclear weapon, and the Strait of Hormuz must be “immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic.”
Hegseth, speaking at a conference in Singapore, offered slightly different language. As CBS News reported, Hegseth said Iran was “coming in our direction” and “talks have been productive.”
The Situation Room meeting lasted nearly two hours. Then Trump left without signing anything.
Iran Says Deal “Nears Completion”
Tehran’s messaging is the opposite of Washington’s uncertainty.
The Nation cited Iranian state media claiming the Iran deal nears completion — with Tehran set to receive billions of dollars in frozen assets as part of the agreement.
But CNN quoted Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying the memorandum of understanding has not yet been finalized. There has been no confirmation that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has approved a potential deal.
The Nation also reported that Tehran accused Trump of “betraying diplomacy” with the continued naval blockade — even as both sides claim progress at the negotiating table.
Military Actions Continue Despite Talks
Even as diplomats negotiate the Iran deal, military operations have not stopped:
CNN reported the US military disabled a Gambian-flagged vessel heading to Iran by firing a missile into its engine room. CENTCOM announced the action Saturday.
CBS News reported smoke rising above Kfar Tebnit in southern Lebanon after Israeli airstrikes — violating the ceasefire. Israel warned the public to expect repeated firing due to expanded operations.
Iran’s newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority — designed to force shippers to comply with Iranian rules around the Strait of Hormuz — vowed to continue operations “without interruption” despite being added to the US Treasury sanctions list, as CNN confirmed.
Pakistan’s Mediation Role Continues
Pakistan remains at the negotiating table. The Nation reported US Defence Secretary Hegseth described PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir as playing “outstanding” roles in the peace talks with Iran.
Dawn also noted that Washington said it is not “pointing fingers right now” at either India or Pakistan over potential missile threats — a notable statement given the delicate position Pakistan occupies as mediator.
For ordinary Pakistanis, the Iran deal outcome determines whether the Rs22 petrol price cut announced Thursday holds — or gets reversed if oil prices spike on a deal collapse. LNG imports, food costs, and inflation are all connected to this single decision.
What Happens Next
CNN’s live updates warned the Iran war is having a disproportionate impact on the world’s most vulnerable nations due to higher fuel and fertilizer prices and risks to jobs and livelihoods.
The coming 48 hours remain critical. Trump could announce his decision at any time. A signed deal would likely push oil prices lower and give Pakistan’s economy breathing room. A collapse would mean fuel price increases, gold surges, and renewed inflation pressure.
24PakTimes will update the moment Trump announces his final call on the Iran deal.
