Donald Trump, President of the United States, made a bold statement regarding the prospects for resolving the tense situation in the Middle East. According to him, Washington is preparing a historic deal with Iran that is expected to lead to an extension of the ceasefire and the resumption of shipping in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The document is expected to be agreed upon as early as next week.
"A Minor Glitch" and Direct Negotiations
In an interview with ABC News, broadcast by RBK-Ukraine, the White House chief commented on recent events. Trump admitted that on June 1, difficulties arose in the negotiation process, which he called a "minor glitch." The cause of the breakdown was Israel's actions against Lebanon, which caused dissatisfaction in Tehran.
However, according to the American leader, the situation was quickly brought under control. Trump described his method of conflict resolution as direct intervention in the dialogue between the warring parties. He stated that he personally contacted the leadership of Hezbollah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ordering them to cease fire.
"I talked to Hezbollah and said no shooting, and I talked to Bibi (Netanyahu) and said no shooting, and they both stopped shooting at each other," the publication quotes Trump.
Peace Deal vs. Military Victory
The US President expressed confidence that a diplomatic resolution to the crisis could prove even more beneficial than a military victory. He emphasized the complexity of the task, given the scale of Iran as a state and the level of accumulated hostility between the parties.
"This is a very difficult business. It is a really big country... But we are getting what we need," Trump noted, admitting that negotiations are difficult for both Iran and the United States.
Deadlines and Terms of the Agreement
A key element of the upcoming deal will be a memorandum of understanding regulating the operation of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump predicts that the framework agreement will be agreed upon within the coming week.
However, the American leader made it clear that the final document has not yet been signed. According to him, he intends to wait a little longer to "score a few points" before the final approval of the deal, which may indicate a desire to secure additional concessions from the Iranian side.