President Trump told ABC News that negotiations with Iran remain on track and could yield a deal within the next week, despite a brief disruption to talks earlier Monday.
Trump spoke by telephone with ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, expressing confidence in the diplomatic process. The president acknowledged a “glitch” in negotiations but claimed he quickly resolved the issue.
What Happened
Iran announced Monday that it had halted communications with the United States, citing Israeli military actions involving Lebanon as the reason for the pause. Trump later used social media to signal that discussions had not collapsed and were continuing at a “rapid pace.”
According to Trump, the problem stemmed from tension between Israel and Hezbollah. “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 Path Forward
Trump suggested a negotiated settlement with Iran could be more valuable than military action. “A peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory,” he said.
When asked about the timeline for finalizing a memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump pointed to a compressed schedule. “I think you’re talking about over the next week,” Trump said, though he acknowledged several issues still require resolution.
Trump cautioned that reaching a final agreement remains challenging given 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.”
International Implications
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 the passage and securing a lasting agreement could significantly impact energy markets, regional stability, and international trade.
Iran has not publicly confirmed that talks have resumed. Trump also claimed on social media that he personally intervened to prevent a broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, stating that Netanyahu assured him Israeli troops would not enter Beirut.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Digital Desk contributed to this report.
