Additional Coverage:
House Speaker Mike Johnson sidestepped a reporter’s question about former President Donald Trump’s recent threat to escalate the conflict with Iran, explaining he had to “take a photo.” Johnson downplayed the significance of Trump’s remarks, noting that the former president is “talking directly to adversaries over there” and advising not to put too much stock in the specifics of the threat at this time.
The comment came in the wake of Trump’s announcement that he had called off new military strikes against Iran, citing progress in negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. This announcement followed Trump’s earlier threat to seize control of Iran’s oil industry as a way to ramp up pressure.
In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly suggested that the parties involved were close to reaching a deal, though no formal agreement has been confirmed. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, stated during a live call on state television that mediators remain active but nothing is finalized yet.
On Thursday afternoon, Trump appeared in the Oval Office claiming, “We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,” though he provided few details. He did say he anticipates finalizing an extension of the fragile ceasefire, which began in April, within the coming days.
This extension would give U.S. officials additional time to negotiate over Iran’s nuclear program, a central issue that both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited to justify the initial conflict. Netanyahu’s office clarified that Israel is not a party to the emerging U.S.-Iran agreement.
The announcement followed two days of escalating attacks between the U.S. and Iran, which brought the region closer to resuming full-scale hostilities. Earlier on Thursday, Trump had warned on social media that the U.S. would hit Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT” and seize “total control” of its oil and gas sectors. Later, he tweeted that key points in the negotiations had been elevated to and approved by Iran’s top leadership.
Baghaei confirmed that the text of a deal is “mostly finalized,” but cited inconsistencies in America’s position as causing turbulence in the process. The negotiations remain complicated by concerns over Iran’s nuclear program-which Tehran insists is peaceful but which the U.S. and Israel fear could lead to weaponization-as well as Iran’s control of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments.
Trump’s abrupt shift on Thursday-from threatening military escalation to highlighting diplomatic progress-reflects the unpredictable nature of his approach to the conflict. Earlier this week, after a series of retaliatory strikes between Iran, Israel, and the U.S., tensions surged. The U.S. strikes were in response to Iran’s alleged downing of an American attack helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz; fortunately, both pilots were rescued.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. attacks of effectively undermining the ceasefire, though it stopped short of declaring the agreement void. As talks continue, the situation remains fragile with the potential for further volatility in the region.