Negotiations between the United States and Iran are still in progress, President Donald Trump stated early Tuesday, just hours after Iran and Israel agreed to cease hostilities that threatened to destabilize a fragile ceasefire. Trump confirmed that talks with Tehran did not pause during the recent escalation, suggesting that a formal agreement to end the war could be finalized within 'one or two days from now, but I think it's going well.'
Trump's Remarks on Negotiations
'They were going back and forth, and now they both agreed through me to stop, and we're in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal that will not allow in any way, shape, or form nuclear weapons, etc.,' the US president told reporters as he prepared to return to the White House after attending an NBA finals game in New York.
Trump also mentioned that Israel and Iran will refrain from attacking each other for at least a week, following a 'very good conversation' with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'He (Netanyahu) was hit, and he hit back, and I can't blame him for that,' Trump said. 'But he was hit, he hit back, and now they've called it quits. So, they're going to just leave each other alone for another week or something.'
Prospects for a Deal
'I think we're … very close to having a very, very good, strong, powerful deal,' Trump added. He further noted that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately upon signing, which could occur within two or three days.
Background of Regional Tensions
Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28. A fragile ceasefire brokered in April faced its most severe test on Sunday when Israel bombed the Lebanese capital Beirut, despite another ceasefire in Lebanon. This prompted Iran to launch missiles toward northern Israel in retaliation, while Israel conducted several waves of airstrikes against Iran. Iran's military announced early Monday that it was halting attacks on Israel but warned of a 'crushing' response if Israeli attacks on Lebanon persisted. Israeli media, citing unnamed officials, reported that Israel had agreed to halt airstrikes on Iran but would continue military operations in southern Lebanon.
