U.S., Iran close to a deal to end war, official says - Axios

- Barak Ravid

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President Trump addresses reporters. Photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

President Trump said Saturday that a deal to end the war with Iran would be announced "shortly" and that the "final aspects" are currently being negotiated.

The big picture: Trump's comments came after separate calls with Arab and Muslim leaders and with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This is the firmest statement the president has made that he is prepared to agree to the memorandum of understanding being negotiated with Iran.

- A U.S. official briefed on the negotiations told Axios the deal was nearly finished but that there were still gaps on the "wording" of several points.

Reality check: Trump and his advisers thought they were close to a deal several times at earlier stages in the war, but none materialized.

Breaking it down: The deal is designed to end the war, gradually open the Strait of Hormuz, and launch at least 30 days of more detailed negotiations on issues including Iran's nuclear program.

Friction point: Several hawkish Republicans have released statements in the past few hours in opposition to a deal.

- Netanyahu is also highly skeptical of the deal under negotiation and has urged Trump to opt for new strikes against Iran.

- Trump said his call with Netanyahu on Saturday went "very well."

Driving the news: In addition to the call with Netanyahu, Trump spoke with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan.

- Two sources briefed on the call said the leaders urged Trump to take the deal. "The message from everyone was: 'Please stop the war for the benefit of the whole region,'" one regional source said.

- According to the regional source, the mediators hope to conclude the one-page framework agreement and announce it on Sunday, then initiate negotiations on a detailed agreement within a few days of that announcement.

- Vice President Vance, who was in Ohio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who was at West Point, were called back to Washington for a meeting to discuss the deal.

Catch up quick: Earlier Saturday, Trump told Axios he would be meeting with his negotiators later in the day to discuss Iran's latest offer, and would likely decide by Sunday whether to resume the war.

- Trump said it was a "solid 50/50" as to whether he would be able to make a "good" deal or else "blow them to kingdom come."

- His latest post suggests he thinks the odds of a deal have gone up dramaticaly.

Zoom in: Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has been mediating between the parties, left Tehran on Saturday after meeting top officials there and trying to push a deal across the line.

- A deal was not finalized but Pakistan said there was "encouraging progress toward a final understanding." The latest draft emerged from the Iran-Pakistan talks.

- While Pakistan has led the mediation, Qatari support over the last week and a push by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey managed to narrow the gaps between the parties, the regional source said.

The other side: Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said Saturday that Iran and the U.S. were in the final stage of discussions on a memorandum of understanding to end the war.

- The spokesperson said the MOU would also deal with gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the U.S. blockade and releasing frozen Iranian funds.

- He added that a 30-60 day period of negotiations on a detailed agreement would follow.

This is breaking news. Check back for updates.