Deal with Iran could come in days, Trump says
A deal aimed at ending the conflict with Iran could be reached “in two or three days,” US President Donald Trump told reporters early Tuesday, adding that that outcome would stop Iran from having a nuclear weapon and lead to the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump, who spoke to reporters after attending the NBA Finals in Madison Square Garden, said Iran and Israel had agreed to stop firing at each other following the worst escalation in tensions between the two since a shaky ceasefire came into effect in early April.
“They were going back and forth (with strikes), and now they both agreed, through me, to stop,” he told reporters before boarding Air Force One.
“The strait will open up right away. It’ll open up immediately upon signing, which could be in two or three days,” he added.
He said he didn’t think there were any sticking points, and that all parties were “very close” to reaching a deal. Meanwhile, the US blockade on Iranian ports is continuing, he added.
Some context: It’s worth remembering that Trump has made similar optimistic claims that a deal was about to be signed during back-and-forth negotiations, only for conflict to flare up once more.
This moment is particularly precarious, with Iran and Israel halting attacks on each other after trading fresh strikes Sunday and Monday – though Tehran warned it would resume if Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon continue.