Trump Sees Potential for Iran Deal Soon Amid Rising Tensions

President Donald Trump expressed on Monday that he believes a deal with Iran could be reached “within the next week.” This statement follows Iran’s warning about the possibility of negotiations completely falling apart due to the intensifying conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group in Lebanon.

In a phone interview with ABC News, Trump said the negotiations with Iran are “looking good,” although there’s been a temporary “glitch” caused by Iran’s reaction to Israel’s increasing military actions against Hezbollah, particularly Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s threats to target the group’s stronghold in the Dahiya area, south of Beirut, following rocket and drone assaults on northern Israel.

“It looks good, it feels good,” Trump told ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl, adding, “There was a little glitch today, but as you probably noticed earlier, I turned it around quickly.”

The president noted that the current tension revolves around Iran’s dissatisfaction with Israel’s military maneuvers against Hezbollah. Tehran insists that these operations should be factored into both the current ceasefire and any forthcoming agreements being discussed between Washington and the Islamic Republic.

Trump stated, “So I talked to Hezbollah and said I would not shoot, and I also talked to Bibi. And they both stopped shooting at each other, saying they weren’t going to shoot.”

This commentary arose as tensions escalated throughout the day regarding a proposed 60-day agreement meant to extend the ceasefire, reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, and establish a framework for broader discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program, which threatens to complicate ongoing negotiations.

On Monday morning, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported a suspension of indirect communications with the U.S. amid Israel’s operational increases in Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the ceasefire terms are applicable to “all fronts, including Lebanon,” and emphasized that any violations would have consequences for both the U.S. and Israel.

Simultaneously, Israel appeared ready to escalate its actions against Hezbollah, particularly after the terrorist group launched new rocket and drone attacks into northern Israel, affecting various civilian areas.

Both Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement threatening airstrikes in Beirut’s Hezbollah-controlled neighborhoods in retaliation for continuous ceasefire violations from the group.

Later, the Israel Defense Forces warned residents in certain areas south of Beirut to evacuate, indicating preparations for a significant strike on Hezbollah assets in the Lebanese capital.

Reports later indicated that President Trump had a tense phone conversation with Netanyahu, voicing concerns that a significant Israeli operation in Beirut could hinder delicate negotiations with Iran. Trump urged Israel to refrain from escalating its military presence in Lebanon, especially as Iran threatened to freeze talks and increase pressure in the Strait of Hormuz and other regional hotspots.

Following this, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had intervened in the situation to halt the escalation.

“Today I spoke with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and asked him not to go on a major assault on Beirut, Lebanon. He has redirected his troops. Thank you, Bibi!” Trump wrote.

He also claimed to have communicated with “representatives of the Hezbollah leadership,” asserting that the group had agreed to cease attacks on Israel, while Israel reciprocated.

“Likewise, Israel has agreed to stop shooting at them. Let’s see how long it lasts. Let’s hope it lasts forever!” he added.

However, Netanyahu clarified that Israel would continue attacking Hezbollah targets in Beirut if attacks on Israeli civilians persisted.

In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump stated that negotiations with Tehran were ongoing at a “fast pace,” although the day had seen mixed signals regarding the talks’ status.

Initially, Trump told CNBC he was indifferent to potential breakdowns in negotiations, labeling them as “very boring.” Yet, he later adopted a more hopeful tone, suggesting a broader agreement with Iran might be “better than a military victory.”

“It’s not easy,” Trump explained. “You’re talking about real great powers… making deals under tremendous hostility.”

He conveyed optimism that an agreement to prolong the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz could soon materialize, marking one of the clearest timelines he has provided publicly regarding negotiations.

“I think you’re talking about next week,” he stated.

Trump mentioned that he hasn’t yet sanctioned the agreement under discussion because “some points still need to be scored.” The proposed framework has undergone extensive negotiations since Trump requested more explicit commitments from Tehran about its enriched uranium stockpile, restrictions on its nuclear program, and assurances against pursuing nuclear weapons. Iranian officials, for their part, have indicated they plan to submit their own amendments to the proposal and remain prepared for the negotiations to break down.