President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States and Iran could reach an agreement within a week to extend a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump acknowledged a “glitch” had emerged in talks but said he resolved it quickly. According to the president, the issue arose after Iran objected to Israeli military operations involving Lebanon.
What Happened
“Looking good, looking good,” Trump said of the negotiations. He indicated that he personally intervened to prevent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, claiming he spoke directly with both parties to halt military action.
“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. The president added that he secured assurances Israel would not send troops into Beirut through social media posts.
Trump characterized the diplomatic effort as more significant than potential military conflict. “A peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory,” he said.
Remaining Obstacles
The president cautioned that finalizing a deal remains difficult due to decades of tension between Washington and Tehran. “It’s not a simple thing,” Trump said. “Tremendous hostility, really.”
When asked about the timeline for a memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump pointed to the coming week. “I think you’re talking about over the next week,” he said, while acknowledging several outstanding issues remain unresolved.
Trump said negotiations are proceeding at a “rapid pace” and called talks “continuing” in a social media post. Iran has not publicly confirmed that discussions have resumed after announcing earlier Monday that communications with the United States had halted.
Strategic Importance
The Strait of Hormuz serves as one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, with a substantial portion of global oil exports passing through the narrow waterway. Reopening it and securing a lasting agreement could significantly affect energy markets, regional stability, and international trade.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Wire contributed to this report.
