Trump says Iran deal nearing signing, praises Pakistan's role

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.

Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments

• Iran has not made a final decision on the deal: FM spokesperson
• ‘We'll probably have a signing in Europe,’ says Trump on Iran war
• Islamabad backs diplomacy, dialogue
• Three Indian sailors killed aboard ship hit by US off Oman
• Kremlin calls on US, Iran to 'return to negotiating table'

Trump says ‘we ended the war with Iran today’

Published: June 12, 2026 | 02:45 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump, during a tele-rally in support of Senate candidate Barry Moore, claimed that the war is now over, according to local media outlets.

“I don’t know if you heard, but we ended the war with Iran today, and they have agreed never to have a nuclear weapon, something that we, we insisted on,” Trump said in the audio clip.

Japan, S. Korea markets jump after Trump cancels Iran strikes

Published: June 12, 2026 | 01:59 GMT | by AFP

Japan's Nikkei share index soared more than three percent Friday after US President Donald Trump withdrew his threat of further strikes against Iran and said a deal to end the war could be signed in coming days.

At around 0015 GMT the Nikkei 225 was up 3.5 percent, while South Korea's benchmark Kospi index jumped 7.59 percent.

Iran’s FM spokesman condemns US attacks on Indian vessels

Published: June 11, 2026 | 23:40 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei condemned the US attacks on Indian commercial vessels, which killed at least three Indian nationals.

In a post on X, he said that these attacks "stand as clear evidence of America’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy."

Iran has not made a final decision on the deal: FM spokesperson

Published: June 11, 2026 | 21:55 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran has not made a final decision about a deal, according to Iran’s official news agency IRNA.

"Once the relevant authorities reach a conclusion on the details of the draft text of an agreement, Iran’s government will make a formal announcement," he said.

‘We'll probably have a signing in Europe,’ says Trump on Iran war

Published: June 11, 2026 | 20:05 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said a deal to end the Middle East war was nearing completion, describing it as a “great settlement” and indicating that a formal signing could take place in Europe within days once the remaining documents are finalized.

“We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. 

“Subject to finalization of documents, which should get done over the next few days, we'll probably have a signing, maybe in Europe.” 

He added that the agreement would ensure “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” calling it the central objective of months of negotiations and conflict.

Trump also said he believed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the proposed arrangement. 

Asked whether Khamenei had personally given the green light, Trump replied: “I understand the answer is yes.” He described the agreement as “a very strong memorandum of understanding.”

The US president said he had spoken with leaders from across the region, including Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, as diplomatic efforts intensified ahead of a possible signing ceremony. 

Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen once the agreement is finalized and argued that the deal had already boosted market confidence, pointing to rising stock markets and falling oil prices.

Trump also singled out Pakistan for its role in the diplomatic process, praising both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. 

“Pakistan was fantastic,” he said. Referring to Munir, Trump added: “He's a great, great general. He's so great that he's actually a field marshal.” 

Pakistan has played a central mediation role in recent months, hosting talks and maintaining engagement with Washington, Tehran and regional partners in support of a negotiated settlement.

Read our June 11 live blog for earlier developments here