President Donald Trump announced Saturday that a peace deal with Iran that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz is "largely negotiated" and will be announced shortly. The announcement came the same day a gunman opened fire near the White House and was killed by the U.S. Secret Service.
According to CNBC, Trump said he held calls from the Oval Office with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, all focused on finalizing terms with Iran. Trump posted on social media that "An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries." Details, he said, "will be announced shortly."
The deal under discussion includes a memorandum of understanding as a first phase, with broader talks expected within 30 to 60 days, according to Iran's foreign ministry. However, Iran's Fars news agency reported that the Strait of Hormuz would remain under Iran's management, and dismissed Trump's announcement of reopening the strait as "incomplete and inconsistent with reality."
Trump's announcement also failed to mention any agreement on Iran's nuclear program or its highly enriched uranium, both of which his administration has repeatedly cited as critical to ending the war. Iran has sought to delay nuclear talks until after a formal end to hostilities. Iran's top negotiator told a Pakistani counterpart that Iran would not compromise its "legitimate rights" and expressed distrust of the U.S., Reuters reported. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iran's armed forces have rebuilt capabilities damaged since the start of the conflict in late February.
A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8, but it has been punctuated by skirmishes as the two sides dispute control of the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf states have called the resulting energy crisis the worst in decades. Higher energy prices have fed rising inflation in the U.S. and raised expectations that the Federal Reserve may need to increase interest rates. Earlier Saturday, the Financial Times reported that a potential deal would establish a framework for nuclear talks, ease sanctions on Iran, and unfreeze Tehran's overseas assets. Pakistani and Qatari negotiators held talks with Iranian counterparts on Thursday and Friday, while staying in regular contact with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
The shooting near the White House added another layer of uncertainty to the day's events. Multiple sources confirmed to Fox News Digital that the gunman was identified as Nasire Best, 21, of Maryland. At about 6 p.m. local time, Best allegedly approached a Secret Service checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, removed a weapon from his bag, and began firing at posted officers. He fired about three shots toward the executive mansion before being shot and killed by Secret Service agents. Best allegedly had prior encounters with the Secret Service and a history of mental health issues. As many as 30 shots were reportedly heard in the direction of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
An adult bystander on the street was also shot in the exchange, and their condition was unknown as of Saturday evening. One uniformed Secret Service agent was taken to the hospital as a precaution, though all agents were reported safe. The suspect never reached the general perimeter of the White House grounds. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed his agency's agents were at the scene and "supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds." The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Police Department also responded.
President Trump was in the White House during the incident but was not affected, according to the Secret Service. Any formal announcement on the Iran agreement may be delayed following the security lockdown.
