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On 101st day of Iran War, Trump says deal could be signed in 2-3 days
President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a potential deal with Iran, suggesting it could be finalized within two to three days and would prevent nuclear weapons development while reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Supervising Producer
WASHINGTON —
President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran could be finalized within the next two to three days, expressing optimism about ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving months of conflict.
Trump originally predicted the war, which he launched on Feb. 28 in conjunction with Israel, would be resolved in 4-6 weeks. The war is now in its 15th week.
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The president also confirmed he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said Israel and Iran agreed “to leave each other alone for another week,” a move that has been complicating efforts to reach a deal between Iran and the U.S.
Israel and Iran traded attacks over the weekend after Israel bombed Lebanon amid a ceasefire with Iran-backed militants that operate in Lebanon.
“We are close to a strong and powerful deal,” Trump told reporters early Tuesday morning. “They were going back and forth, and now they’ve both agreed through me to stop, and 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, etc., and the Strait [of Hormuz] will open up right away. It’ll open up immediately upon signing, which could be in two or three days,” he said.
Trump signaled he is not interested in bombing Iran, stating that such action would keep the Strait of Hormuz closed for months. The Strait is a major trade route where roughly a fifth of the world’s oil shipments pass through.
The constrained oil market has sent gas prices surging since the war started. Tuesday’s AAA national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.16, more than a dollar higher than when the war started.
Mediators from Pakistan have been working to help Iran and the U.S. turn the ceasefire that’s been in effect since early April into a permanent resolution, but both sides have maintained hardline positions.
The U.S. is pushing for Iran to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which can be used to build nuclear weapons. Iran, however, is refusing to do so and is demanding relief from sanctions.
2 Soldiers Rescued in Helicopter Crash
Trump’s comments on the negotiations to end the war came as news was breaking of a military helicopter crash in the Middle East.
According to a Tuesday morning news release from U.S. Central Command, two soldiers are stable after their Army AH-64 Apache helicopter went down near the coast of Oman. The aircraft, which was patrolling regional waters, was reportedly “lost at sea.”
While a large-scale war against Iran is on hold, tens of thousands of U.S. service members are stationed in the Middle East, enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports. It’s unclear if the crashed helicopter was part of this effort.
It’s also uncertain whether the helicopter was shot down or if a mechanical issue caused the crash.
The military says the soldiers were rescued about two hours after the incident. They’re said to be stable, although CENTCOM hasn’t detailed whether they suffered any injuries.
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