US President Donald Trump told ABC News that he expects a deal with Iran to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz within the next week.
Speaking by phone with ABC News' Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl on June 1, Trump said a peace deal could be "even better than a military victory."
A draft agreement, brokered by Pakistan, has been passed between the two sides in recent weeks, as much uncertainty surrounds the negotiations. A temporary ceasefire agreement has been in place since April, although the agreement has been challenged by sporadic attacks. There has been, the president said, “significant hostility” from Iran.
“It’s not easy for them. In fact, it’s not easy from our perspective either. But we’re doing what we need to do,” Trump said. As for the timeline for a possible deal, President Trump said “we think we’re talking about next week.” The US leader said a deal has not been reached yet because “I have to secure a few more things.”
Iran and the United States have traded barbs in recent days, with US forces announcing “self-defensive” strikes on Iranian targets and Iran suggesting it had attacked a US base in Kuwait. The efforts to reach a deal come as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is significantly disrupting global oil supplies and sending energy prices soaring.
The US-Israeli war with Iran, which began on February 28, has killed thousands and destabilized the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital sea route through which almost 20 percent of the world's oil supply passes from the Gulf to international markets.
