President Donald Trump on 12 June declared that Iran's leadership has approved a framework agreement with the United States that would permanently bar Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, raising expectations of a formal signing within days. Speaking at the White House, Trump described the development as a major diplomatic breakthrough following weeks of military conflict.

What Trump Said

Trump announced that negotiations had reached their final stage and that documents were being prepared. “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,” he said. He added that a signing could take place “very soon,” possibly over the weekend in Europe.

When asked whether Iran’s Supreme Leader had personally approved the arrangement, Trump replied: “I understand the answer is yes.”

Key Terms of the Agreement

Trump characterised the deal as “a very strong memorandum of understanding” under which Iran would be prohibited from acquiring or developing nuclear weapons under any circumstances. “They will not purchase, develop in any way, any shape, in any way, shape or form a nuclear weapon,” he said. He added that the agreement had also received backing from “many other countries that have great influence over them.”

Trump said he had spoken with leaders from Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait following the reported breakthrough.

Military Pressure as Leverage

The President argued that sustained military pressure had compelled Tehran to accept the terms. “They’ve taken a pounding,” Trump said. “They want to make the deal a lot more than I do.” He claimed Iran’s military capabilities had been severely degraded during the conflict. “Their navy is gone, their air force is gone, their anti-aircraft is gone, everything’s gone,” he said, adding that Tehran had nonetheless “proven to be rational.”

A New Leadership Dynamic in Tehran

Trump also suggested that a different group had come to the fore in Tehran following the conflict. “There’s a different group—there’s a different level and I think it’s frankly a smarter level,” he said. The remarks imply a significant shift in the Iranian decision-making structure, though independent confirmation of that assessment was not immediately available.

What Comes Next

The formal agreement has not yet been signed, and Trump’s characterisation of Supreme Leader approval was qualified (“I understand the answer is yes”), leaving room for uncertainty. Finalisation of documents is expected within days, with a potential signing ceremony in Europe over the coming weekend. The deal, if concluded, would mark one of the most consequential diplomatic outcomes of Trump’s presidency and a fundamental shift in the long-running standoff over Iran’s nuclear programme.