Trump Expresses Optimism on Iran Ceasefire Extension and Reopening of Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump stated that the United States and Iran are close to reaching an agreement within the next week to extend the current ceasefire and reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
In a telephone interview with ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, Trump voiced strong confidence that negotiations remain on track despite a brief setback earlier Monday. “Looking good, looking good,” he said.
The president admitted there had been a “glitch” in the talks but claimed he quickly resolved the issue. “There was a little glitch today, but I turned that one around very quickly, as you probably noticed earlier,” Trump said. He attributed the problem to Iranian anger over Israeli military actions involving Lebanon.
“So, I spoke with Hezbollah, and I said no shooting, and I talked to Bibi [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu], and said, no shooting, and they both stopped shooting each other,” Trump explained.
Trump suggested a negotiated settlement could prove more valuable than military success. “A peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory,” he remarked. However, he cautioned that finalizing a deal remains challenging due to decades of deep hostility between Washington and Tehran.
“It’s not a simple thing,” Trump said. “You’re talking about a real large country — them — very large country making a deal. Tremendous hostility, really. So it’s not an easy thing for them. It’s actually not easy from our standpoint either. But we’re getting what we need to get.”
When asked about the timeline for a memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump pointed to a short window. “I think you’re talking about over the next week,” he said, while noting that several key points still need resolution. “I still have to get a few more points.”
The comments followed confusion earlier Monday when Iran announced it had halted communications with the United States, citing Israeli aggression in Lebanon. Trump later downplayed the announcement in interviews and posted on social media that negotiations were “continuing” at a “rapid pace.”
In separate posts, Trump claimed he personally intervened to prevent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. He said he secured assurances from Netanyahu that no Israeli troops would enter Beirut and that forces already heading there had been turned back. Through intermediaries, he also said Hezbollah agreed to halt attacks on Israel in exchange for reciprocal restraint.
The developments come amid broader efforts to convert the fragile, Pakistan-brokered ceasefire — in place since April 2026 — into a lasting peace agreement. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil exports, was restricted by Iran during the conflict, disrupting energy markets and international shipping.
Reopening the waterway and securing a comprehensive deal could significantly ease regional tensions and stabilize energy prices. However, longstanding mistrust and unresolved issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program continue to complicate progress.
