Speaking at an event in Las Vegas, Trump also said the United States could “do whatever we want” and indicated that another round of talks with Tehran may happen over the weekend. He claimed Iran has agreed to hand over enriched uranium and accept limits on its nuclear program.
“We’re very close to making a deal,” Trump said, though details of any potential agreement remain unclear.
The president’s optimistic comments came as a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan is set to expire on April 22. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters Thursday that U.S. forces remain “maximally postured” to restart combat operations if Iran rejects a deal. Hegseth said Iran’s motivation to maintain the ceasefire is “very high,” but warned the country to “choose wisely”.
In a separate interview Friday, Trump told Bloomberg News that direct talks with Iran over a permanent end to the war will “probably” take place this weekend. He said he “may” travel to Pakistan to sign an agreement.
Trump also made a series of claims on social media Friday, including that Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again and that the United States will get all of Iran’s “nuclear dust” at no cost. He said Israel has been “prohibited” from bombing Lebanon.
Iran confirmed Friday it has reopened the Strait of Hormuz for commercial vessels for the remaining period of the ceasefire, but a senior Iranian military official told state media that only nonmilitary vessels would be allowed to transit and only with permission from the Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. Tehran has not officially responded to Trump’s broader claims.
The war began Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched a large-scale operation against Iran. Hegseth has declared a “decisive military victory,” but analysts say the conflict remains volatile. The U.S. Senate voted 52-47 on Wednesday against a resolution that would have required Trump to seek congressional authorization for the war, underscoring Republican support for the military campaign.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said this week that any U.S.-Iran agreement must include “very detailed” verification measures for Iran’s nuclear program, warning that without proper inspections, “you will have an illusion of an agreement”.