U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that a deal with Iran has been finalized, stating that Tehran has agreed never to develop nuclear weapons. He also announced the cancellation of a planned military strike against Iran on Thursday night. The announcement suggests a potential shift in U.S.-Iran relations following heightened tensions.

According to Richard Weitz, an international security expert at NATO Defense College, Trump’s remarks indicate the possibility of a phased agreement. He told Al Jazeera that some measures, such as reopening the Strait of Hormuz, could be implemented quickly, while more complex issues like the nuclear question would be addressed later. Weitz cautioned that although the initial phase may progress smoothly, both sides could become entangled in details, potentially reversing early gains.

Weitz added that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is vital for Iran’s oil exports and equally important for U.S. Gulf allies and the global economy, underscoring the broader stakes of the emerging deal.