President Donald Trump told reporters he believes a negotiated agreement with Iran could be finalized within seven days, potentially reopening the Strait of Hormuz and extending the current ceasefire.
Trump expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations despite a brief disruption earlier Monday when Iran announced it had paused communications with the United States. The president claimed he personally intervened to resolve the impasse by speaking directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah representatives.
Trump Claims Personal Intervention Resolved Tensions
“There was a little glitch today, but I turned that one around very quickly,” Trump told ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl. He explained that the breakdown stemmed from Israeli military operations affecting Lebanon, which had prompted Iran to temporarily halt talks.
Trump detailed his efforts to mediate between the parties, stating, “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.” The president added that he secured commitments from Netanyahu that Israeli troops would not enter Beirut and that any forces already deployed would be withdrawn.
Peace Agreement Could Exceed Military Victory, Trump Says
The president framed a diplomatic settlement as potentially more valuable than military success. “A peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory,” Trump said, acknowledging the complexity of bridging decades of U.S.-Iranian hostility.
Trump cautioned that finalizing a deal remains challenging for both nations. “You’re talking about a very large country making a deal. Tremendous hostility, really,” he said, emphasizing that outstanding issues must still be resolved before reaching a memorandum of understanding.
Timeline for Strait of Hormuz Reopening
When asked about the timeframe for completing negotiations, Trump indicated progress could come swiftly. “I think you’re talking about over the next week,” he told reporters, though he noted several outstanding points required further negotiation.
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical global shipping corridor, with substantial volumes of international oil exports transiting through the strategic waterway. Reopening the passage and establishing a durable peace arrangement could reshape energy markets and regional stability.
Iran’s Official Position Remains Unclear
Iran has not publicly confirmed that negotiations have resumed following its announcement of a communications pause. Trump downplayed the significance of Tehran’s statements during a separate interview with NBC News, signaling confidence that talks would continue advancing.
On social media, Trump claimed that discussions with Iran were proceeding at a “rapid pace” and remained actively ongoing despite Monday’s disruption. The president’s optimistic public statements contrasted with earlier reports suggesting the negotiation process had stalled.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Staff contributed to this report.