Trump: U.S.-Iran Deal Possible Within a Week to Extend Ceasefire, Reopen Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump said Monday he believes the United States and Iran could reach an agreement within the next week to extend the current ceasefire and reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking by telephone with ABC News, Trump expressed confidence that negotiations remain on track despite a brief setback earlier in the day.
“Looking good, looking good,” Trump said.
The president acknowledged there had been a “glitch” in the talks but said he quickly resolved it. According to Trump, the issue arose after Iran became upset over Israeli military actions involving Lebanon.
“So, I spoke with Hezbollah, and I said no shooting, and I talked to Bibi [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu], and said, no shooting, and they both stopped shooting each other,” Trump said.
He suggested a negotiated settlement with Iran could prove more significant than a military victory. “A peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory,” he said.
Trump cautioned that decades of hostility make a final deal difficult. “It’s not a simple thing,” he said. “You’re talking about a real large country — them — very large country making a deal. Tremendous hostility, really.”
Asked about a timeline for a memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said, “I think you’re talking about over the next week.” He noted that several issues still need to be resolved: “I still have to get a few more points.”
The comments followed earlier reports that Iran had halted communications with the United States over what it called Israeli aggression in Lebanon. Trump later posted that negotiations were still moving forward “at a rapid pace.” Iran has not publicly confirmed that talks have resumed.
Trump also claimed he intervened to prevent a wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, saying he secured assurances that Israel would not send troops into Beirut and that Hezbollah agreed to halt attacks.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, with a substantial share of global oil exports passing through it. A lasting agreement could have major implications for energy markets and regional stability.
