President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects the United States and Iran to finalize a comprehensive nuclear agreement within seven days, potentially reopening crucial shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf.
The timeline represents an acceleration in talks between the two nations, which have been locked in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program for months. Officials from both countries have been engaged in intensive discussions at undisclosed locations.
The Diplomatic Push
Trump told reporters at the White House that negotiators have made significant progress on outstanding issues, including uranium enrichment limits and international inspections. “We’re very close,” the president said, without providing specific details on remaining sticking points.
The proposed agreement would extend an existing ceasefire between the two adversaries. Iranian officials have indicated they are prepared to return to the negotiating table this week to finalize terms.
What’s At Stake
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass, has been partially restricted due to regional tensions. Reopening the waterway could have significant implications for international energy markets and global commerce.
A deal would mark a major foreign policy achievement for Trump’s administration and potentially ease decades of hostilities between Washington and Tehran. Previous negotiations had stalled over disagreements regarding sanctions relief and verification mechanisms.
Next Steps
Both delegations are scheduled to meet again this week to address final outstanding items. Trump indicated he would personally oversee portions of the agreement signing if a deal is reached.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Political Team contributed to this report.
