**WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States and Iran could finalize an agreement within the next week to extend an interim ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, describing the talks as advancing despite a temporary setback linked to Israeli operations in Lebanon.**
In a telephone interview with ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, Trump characterized the backchannel negotiations as “looking good.” He acknowledged that progress stalled briefly earlier in the day after Iranian officials objected to expanded Israeli strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. “There was a little glitch today, but I turned that one around very quickly,” Trump said. He added that he had intervened directly with both sides to urge de-escalation and keep the U.S.-Iranian dialogue intact.
Trump framed a potential accord as preferable to prolonged military pressure. “A peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory,” he said. At the same time, he noted the structural difficulties of negotiating with a longtime adversary. “It’s not an easy thing for them,” Trump said. “It’s actually not easy from our standpoint either. But we’re getting what we need to get.”
According to the president, negotiators are working toward a memorandum of understanding that would address maritime restrictions in the Persian Gulf and guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. He suggested the document could be completed within seven days, while conceding that several unresolved issues remain. “I still have to get a few more points,” he said, without specifying the outstanding terms.
The optimistic assessment followed hours of uncertainty. Iranian officials had signaled a suspension of talks in protest of ongoing Israeli operations in Lebanon, prompting concern among some allied capitals that the diplomatic opening was at risk of collapsing. Trump later pushed back on reports of a stall, stating in a social media post that technical discussions were proceeding at a “rapid pace.” Iranian authorities did not immediately confirm that formal sessions had resumed.
Trump also claimed he had helped stabilize the northern front of the broader conflict. He said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and received a commitment that Israeli forces would refrain from ground operations into central Beirut. Through regional intermediaries, he said, Hezbollah had indicated a willingness to halt rocket and drone attacks in exchange for a cessation of targeted Israeli strikes on its senior leadership. Observers note that previous informal arrangements between Israel and the Lebanese group have frequently proven short-lived amid continued cross-border exchanges.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the central focus of the talks. Roughly one-fifth of global petroleum supplies transit the narrow waterway daily. Extended disruptions or elevated insurance risks there can raise energy prices, shipping costs, and broader economic volatility.
For the administration, restoring normal traffic would constitute a significant diplomatic outcome and reduce risks to global energy markets. For Iran, maritime arrangements have historically been linked to sanctions relief, security assurances, and recognition of its regional maritime claims. While the White House has portrayed the coming week as a critical window, analysts caution that the timeline remains ambitious. Deep mutual suspicion and elevated regional tensions mean any agreement’s durability will depend on converting verbal understandings into enforceable commitments on the ground and at sea.
