Iran says US deal decision rests with senior authorities

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Thursday that any decision regarding a proposed understanding with the United States rests with the country's senior leadership, dismissing widespread reports about the timing and location of a potential signing ceremony as premature media speculation. Speaking in Tehran, Baqaei emphasized that the Islamic Republic's formal decision-making process must conclude before any official announcement can be made regarding the terms of a potential agreement.

"These matters should be viewed within the framework of media speculation," Baqaei said, according to the official IRNA news agency. He noted that "the decision-making process in our country is completely clear" and that relevant authorities must reach a final decision on any potential text before details can be released.

Trump announces canceled strikes

The spokesman's remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced he had canceled planned military strikes against Iran on Thursday evening, telling reporters that a settlement had been reached pending final documentation. Trump indicated that the agreement would likely be signed within days, possibly at a ceremony in Europe, though he provided no specific details regarding the terms or location.

"We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran, and we're going to be subject to finalization of documents, which should get done over the next few days," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "Probably have a signing, maybe in Europe."

Draft under review

Baqaei's attempt to downplay expectations followed reports from Iranian media suggesting that a draft understanding was already under review by the country's highest decision-making bodies. Iran's Fars News Agency reported earlier Thursday that the likelihood of approval by senior authorities was "relatively high" after Washington allegedly accepted a proposed Iranian text for the agreement.

The foreign ministry spokesman declined to confirm these reports, stating instead that "once a final decision is reached, we will issue an official statement." He added that procedural matters regarding the form and mechanism of any signing ceremony would only be addressed after the leadership reaches a definitive conclusion on the substance of the deal.