President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran could reach a comprehensive agreement within a week, potentially reopening the Strait of Hormuz and extending a ceasefire.
Trump made the comments during an interview with ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl. He expressed confidence in ongoing negotiations despite a diplomatic setback earlier in the day tied to Israeli military actions in Lebanon.
What Trump Claims
The President said he personally intervened to resolve tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Trump stated he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reached out to Hezbollah through high-level representatives.
“No Israeli troops will enter Beirut, and those in transit have been turned back,” Trump said of the agreements he brokered. He positioned himself as a central mediator in the broader U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Trump argued that a peace agreement with Tehran could prove more valuable than a military victory. He acknowledged that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would require finalizing a memorandum of understanding with several key points still under negotiation.
The Diplomatic Context
Earlier Monday, Iran announced it had halted all communications with the United States, citing Israeli military aggression in Lebanon. Trump later dismissed these reports on social media, saying discussions were moving forward at a “rapid pace.”
Tehran has not publicly confirmed the resumption of official talks. The President emphasized the strategic importance of the shipping lane, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil exports passes.
What’s At Stake
An agreement to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open would likely stabilize global energy markets. It would also reduce the risk of wider maritime conflict in the region.
Trump acknowledged the “tremendous hostility” that has defined U.S.-Iran relations for decades, calling the potential transition “very difficult” for both sides. He stopped short of guaranteeing success but said the administration is making significant progress in securing necessary concessions.