The writer, Barak Ravid at Axios, has had the best insight/sources to be found most anywhere in the media.
From Axios, May 23:
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....
....MUCH MORE
And at Xitter:
https://x.com/BarakRavid
