US news outlet Axios reported that four American military aircraft flew toward Europe ahead of a potential signing event between Washington and Tehran on an accord to conclude the conflict. The planes are said to be bound for Geneva, where Vice President JD Vance is slated to represent the United States, according to Axios citing informed sources. Although Donald Trump stated an agreement might be finalized this weekend, Iranian officials indicated no final decision has been taken. Iran’s foreign ministry rejected assertions by Trump that a peace accord between the United States and Tehran could be completed as early as this weekend. Such an accord would mark the largest diplomatic step yet toward ending the three-month conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and driven up worldwide energy costs. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted that while substantial sections of the draft text have been settled, a final outcome remains pending. He described the matter as under review by decision-making authorities and stressed that Tehran would uphold its core positions. Trump told reporters at the White House that a major settlement had been achieved with Iran and that the strait would reopen once documents are signed, possibly this weekend in Europe, with Vance potentially signing for the United States. Trump has asserted since mid-March that an agreement was near, yet none has been concluded. Trump announced he was halting a planned third round of US airstrikes, citing high-level discussions with Iranian leadership. He also posted on social media that concepts and details had been approved by the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt and others. Israel stated it was not a participant in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called an emerging US-Iran memorandum, though Netanyahu had spoken with Trump. The office added that any final accord would require removal of enriched material, dismantling of enrichment facilities, curbs on missile output and an end to Iranian backing for regional proxies. Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen upon signing and that the broader Middle East welcomed the outcome. Iranian media reported that forces halted a tanker attempting unauthorized passage through the strait. The account from the Fars news agency followed reports of explosions near Bandar Abbas. Trump had earlier indicated the United States would take control of Iran’s Kharg Island, but later said the action would be dropped if an agreement is signed. Oil prices rose after Trump warned of a strong response to Iran, then fell after he canceled planned strikes. US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 1.9 percent to 86.08 dollars per barrel, following a 2.6 percent overnight decline, while Brent crude fell 1.5 percent to 89.08 dollars per barrel after a nearly 3 percent overnight drop. Asian equities rose, with South Korea’s Kospi gaining 7.4 percent and Japan’s Nikkei advancing 2.7 percent. A strike injured ten staff at a hospital in the Lebanese city of Tyre on Thursday, the facility’s director told AFP, as Israeli operations continued in southern Lebanon. All three historic hospitals in the city have been struck since the latest phase of fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah began in early March. India lodged a strong protest after three Indian seafarers died in US military actions against oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
