US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations with Iran, saying a deal could be finalized within days and claiming that Tehran is prepared to make major concessions, including abandoning its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Speaking in multiple media appearances and a virtual tele-rally for South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump said the negotiation process was advancing well despite recent military tensions between Iran and Israel.
Trump said the United States could present a framework for an agreement with Iran in the coming days.
“We're negotiating now and they want to make a very good deal. They're willing to give us everything. They're willing to give us no nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
He added that the US believes Iran is genuinely interested in reaching an agreement and stressed that Washington would never allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and it's as simple as that,” he said.
Hormuz blockade to remain until deal signed
Trump announced that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would remain fully enforced until an agreement is finalized.
“The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will remain in full force,” he said, adding that the strategic waterway would reopen immediately once a deal is signed.
“The Strait will open up right away. It'll open up immediately upon signing, which could be in two or three days,” Trump told reporters.
Trump also predicted that oil prices would fall sharply once the conflict ends and a formal agreement is reached. “Oil prices will come tumbling down,” he said, expressing confidence that markets would react positively to a settlement.
Trump predicts ‘total victory’ over Iran
The US president said he expects Washington to declare “total victory” over Iran within the next two weeks.
“I think we are winning that battle, but you're really gonna win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory,” Trump said during the tele-rally.
“It'll be a total victory. It'll happen very soon and oil prices will come tumbling down.”
Trump further claimed that US military operations had severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities. “We've decimated their military. We've decimated everything there is to decimate, including their leadership,” he said.
He also claimed that Iran’s navy had been effectively destroyed.
“Their navy is totally gone. They had 159 ships. Every ship is underwater right now,” Trump stated.
Iran, Israel agree to pause hostilities
Trump said Iran and Israel had agreed not to take military action against each other for at least a week following the latest flare-up that threatened to derail diplomatic efforts.
“They were going back and forth, and now they both agreed through me to stop,” Trump said.
He added that negotiations continued throughout the recent escalation and that the talks were now in their final stages.
“We're in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal that will not allow in any way, shape, or form nuclear weapons,” he said.
Also Read: Iran, Israel say strikes on each other halted for now
In a separate interview with Sky News, Trump expressed confidence that the ceasefire would hold. “I don't think Israel will go back to fighting Iran. I don't think it's going to happen. Everything is going well,” he said.
Recent tensions nearly derailed negotiations
Regional tensions intensified after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28. Although a ceasefire brokered in April largely paused the conflict, the agreement faced its strongest test when Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Beirut on Sunday.
The attack prompted Iran to launch missiles toward northern Israel, while Israel responded with several waves of airstrikes against Iranian targets.
Iran’s military later announced it was suspending attacks on Israel but warned that any further Israeli strikes in Lebanon would trigger a “crushing” response.
Israeli media, citing unnamed officials, reported that Israel had agreed to halt airstrikes on Iran while continuing military operations in southern Lebanon.
Trump says he pressured Netanyahu to avoid escalation
Trump revealed that he had actively worked to limit Israel’s response to Iran during the latest crisis. “I told Netanyahu that if he starts a war, he will be left alone,” Trump said.
He also claimed that five countries had asked him to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid further escalation. Despite those remarks, Trump described his latest conversation with Netanyahu as positive.
“My conversation with Netanyahu was good,” he said.
The US president argued that any new agreement with Tehran would be superior to the nuclear deal negotiated during former president Barack Obama’s administration.
“Our deal with Iran will be better than Obama’s deal,” Trump said.
He added that Iran was ready to make substantial concessions regarding its nuclear program and that Washington remained committed to securing a lasting agreement.
Vance backs Iran negotiations
Vice President JD Vance echoed Trump’s position during an interview with Fox News, saying the administration would continue pursuing an agreement with Iran regardless of whether Israel fully supports the effort.
“The US will secure a deal even in opposition to Israel,” Vance said. “Israel may like it and it may not, but ultimately we believe it serves the interests of the United States.”
He added that the administration would continue advancing the negotiations because doing so was in the best interests of the American people.
Also Read: US Apache helicopter crashes near Strait of Hormuz
During the tele-rally, Trump also urged Republican voters in South Carolina to support Senator Lindsey Graham in Tuesday’s Republican primary. Trump praised Graham’s stance on Iran, border security, military spending and conservative judicial appointments.
“And Lindsey has been fighting with me all the way,” Trump said. “We've been a very tough team.”
The president described Graham as having his “complete and total endorsement” and called him a tireless advocate for South Carolina.
Trump also endorsed South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, describing her as “an America First patriot” and predicting she would become a successful governor.
Trump comments on downed US helicopter
Trump also addressed reports of a US military helicopter that went down near the Strait of Hormuz, saying the pilot was safe and in good condition.
“The pilot of the crashed helicopter is safe and well,” he said.
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