President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran could reach an agreement within a week to extend a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane.
Trump acknowledged that negotiations had encountered a “glitch” but said he helped resolve the issue quickly. The problem emerged after Iran objected to Israeli military operations involving Lebanon, according to Trump.
What Trump Said
“Looking good, looking good,” Trump said of the talks. “A peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory,” he added.
Trump said he spoke directly with Hezbollah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt military actions between the two sides. “So, I spoke with Hezbollah, and I said no shooting, and I talked to Bibi, and said, no shooting, and they both stopped shooting each other,” Trump said.
The president cautioned that reaching a final deal remains difficult because of decades of hostility between Washington and Tehran. “So it’s not an easy thing for them. It’s actually not easy from our standpoint either,” Trump said.
Outstanding Issues
Trump acknowledged that negotiations are not yet complete, with several issues still requiring resolution. “I still have to get a few more points,” he said.
The president later signaled confidence in ongoing discussions, posting on social media that negotiations with Iran are “continuing” at a “rapid pace.”
Trump also used social media to claim he personally intervened to prevent broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. He said he secured assurances from Netanyahu that Israel would not send troops into Beirut.
The Stakes
The Strait of Hormuz is 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.
The developments occurred as negotiations attempted to transform a current ceasefire into a broader peace agreement. Earlier Monday, reports that Iran had stopped communications had raised concerns about the talks unraveling.
This story has been updated. CNN’s staff contributed to this report.