Trump says Iran deal, Hormuz reopening possible within a week
U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects the United States and Iran to reach an agreement within a week that could extend a ceasefire and pave the way for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to ABC News on Monday, Trump said negotiations were progressing well despite a brief setback caused by Israel’s military operations in Lebanon.
“Looking good, looking good,” Trump said, adding that a “little glitch” in the talks was resolved after he spoke with both Hezbollah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump said several issues still need to be settled but expressed confidence that an understanding on reopening the Strait of Hormuz could be reached within days.
Lebanon tensions cloud diplomacy
The talks have been complicated by continued fighting in Lebanon, where Israel has maintained military operations despite a ceasefire agreed in April and later extended through indirect U.S.-mediated negotiations.
Netanyahu signaled that Israel intends to continue its campaign, describing recent advances against Hezbollah as a “dramatic shift” and pledging to deepen operations in areas previously controlled by the group.
Trump said he had urged both sides to halt attacks, claiming planned Israeli troop movements toward Beirut had been reversed following discussions with Netanyahu.
Iran links deal to regional ceasefire
Iran, meanwhile, warned that ongoing Israeli attacks could undermine diplomacy. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran could suspend negotiations with Washington if military operations in Lebanon continue.
Ghalibaf said any future agreement between Iran and the United States must be accompanied by an end to attacks across the region, particularly in Lebanon, where authorities say more than 3,400 people have been killed since March.
A breakthrough in the talks could help stabilize regional tensions and ease concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas exports.
Source:AA
