Former State Department official calls to sideline Iran war advocates

Senator Ted Cruz posted on X on Saturday expressing concern over reports of a potential Iran deal, warning that it could allow the Iranian government to receive large financial transfers, continue uranium enrichment, and maintain influence over the Strait of Hormuz.

Cruz said the agreement, if accurate, would represent a “huge mistake,” urged caution over early reporting, and argued that Iran’s leadership remains hostile to the United States and its allies.

"If the result of all that is to be an Iranian regime—still run by Islamists who chant “death to America”—now receiving billions of dollars, being able to enrich uranium & develop nuclear weapons, and having effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, then that outcome would be a disastrous mistake," he said.

Brigadier General Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, shared an AI-generated image on X on Saturday depicting Trump submitting to Iran's Ayatollah, captioned "the end."

Jeremy Scahill, co-founder and investigative reporter at Drop Site News, said on X on Saturday that a senior Iranian official told him Iran and the US are “very close to reaching and signing an agreement to end the war,” describing the negotiations as constructive and the prospect of peace as highly attainable.

The official urged the US administration to act independently of external pressure, including from Israel, which it said is making “final extensive efforts” to disrupt the agreement, Scahill said.

Marc Zell, a Republican-affiliated attorney, said on X on Saturday that if reports of a proposed Iran–US deal are accurate, the Trump administration would be making a “huge mistake,” adding that he hopes the current reports are “only noise.”

"If the reports of the proposed deal are accurate, the Trump Administration is about to make a HUGE mistake. I am praying that the current noise is only that. Up to now optimistic forecasts of a deal with the fanatical regime have proven premature every single time. I sincerely hope that is also the case now," he said.

Ali Gholhaki, a hardline Iranian influencer said on Satruday that Pakistan’s army chief left Iran to convey the US response and help finalize a “joint memorandum of understanding” for a difficult nuclear negotiation phase.

Gholhaki outlined reported terms including an end to hostilities across all fronts, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting of a blockade, release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets as part of a wider $25 billion package under discussion, reduction of US military presence near Iran, and a 30-day window for nuclear negotiations, with some funds potentially disbursed quickly via Qatar if delays occur.