Trump's surprise announcement

President Trump posted on social media Saturday that the US will sign a memorandum of understanding with Iran on Sunday, declaring that the Strait of Hormuz will be open to all immediately after. He described the deal as the opposite of the Obama-era JCPOA, with no money changing hands, and warned that if the process did not go smoothly, "we have the ultimate alternative." Trump added that at an appropriate time, "we will go in and take the nuclear powder." The post followed a Thursday evening phone call, reported by Axios, in which Trump told Netanyahu,

“This is the deal. It's a great deal and it's time to end this war.”

Netanyahu convenes security cabinet

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene a security cabinet meeting on Sunday evening, Hebrew media outlets reported. Senior Israeli officials told Channel 12 that the MoU terms "place Israel's security interests in danger" and that Washington agreed to Tehran's key demands. The officials added, "What will happen immediately is the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the rejuvenation of the regime and a slap in the face of the Iranian public." They compared the framework to the Gaza ceasefire deal, questioning whether the US would gain any leverage after a 60-day truce if Iran fails to follow through.

“The credible military threat has almost been eliminated.”

Disputed terms and timing

The emerging framework, as described by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, includes a second-stage discussion of Iran's nuclear programme, an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, a US declaration respecting Iran's sovereignty, and a new Strait of Hormuz transit regime to be decided by Iran and Oman. Araghchi claimed the deal has opponents "led by Israel," which is trying to derail it. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing within 24 hours, but an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, denied the signing would happen Sunday, casting doubt on Trump's timeline.

“The US and Iran will reach an agreement when both sides are fully satisfied.”

Netanyahu's political corner

Axios reported that Netanyahu was deeply unhappy and that when he launched the war alongside Trump, his goals included regime change in Tehran and the complete destruction of Iran's nuclear programme, neither of which appears within reach. Earlier this week, the Israeli leader planned massive strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, but Trump stopped him at the last minute, according to the report. Since then, Netanyahu has been largely sidelined, calling Washington allies for information. During Thursday's phone call, he did not push back forcefully, saying only that he trusted Trump to address their mutual concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions. Israeli officials privately remain highly sceptical, warning that Iran is not required to stop supporting proxies and would reconnect with Hezbollah through the deal.

What comes next

If signed, the MoU would be only a first step toward a detailed final peace agreement, with significant obstacles remaining. The articles underscore that a durable resolution remains elusive: Iran has not halted enrichment activities, the missile programme is not addressed, and Israel's stated war goals are unmet. Netanyahu, facing elections in four months, is being accused by political rivals of turning Israel into a "protectorate" by acquiescing to Trump's terms. The Sunday meeting of the security cabinet will likely test Israel's ability to influence the final shape of the accord.