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 important Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made the comments during a telephone interview with ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl. He expressed confidence that negotiations remain on track despite a brief setback earlier in the day.
“Looking good, looking good,” Trump said during the call. The president acknowledged there had been a “glitch” in the talks but claimed he quickly helped resolve the issue.
What Sparked the Setback
Trump said the problem emerged 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.
Earlier Monday, Iran announced that communications with the United States had been halted because of what it described as Israeli aggression in Lebanon. However, Trump later signaled that discussions had not collapsed.
In a social media post, the president said negotiations with Iran are still moving forward and are “continuing” at a “rapid pace.” Iran has not publicly confirmed that talks have resumed.
The Path Forward
Trump suggested that a negotiated settlement with Iran could prove more significant than a battlefield victory. “A peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory,” he said.
The president cautioned that reaching a final deal remains difficult because of decades of hostility between Washington and Tehran. “It’s not a simple thing,” Trump said. “You’re talking about a real large country – them – very large country making a deal. Tremendous hostility, really.”
When asked about a timeline for a memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump pointed to roughly one week. “I think you’re talking about over the next week,” he said. He added that negotiations are not yet complete because several issues still need to be resolved.
Regional Implications
Trump claimed he personally intervened to prevent a broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. He said he spoke directly with Netanyahu and secured assurances that Israel would not send troops into Beirut.
The president further claimed that Hezbollah agreed to halt attacks on Israel following discussions conducted through intermediaries. “Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop,” Trump claimed.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, with a substantial portion of global oil exports passing through the narrow waterway. Reopening the Strait and securing a lasting agreement could have significant implications for energy markets, regional stability, and international trade.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Sarah Westwood contributed to this report.
