WASHINGTON, June 2 (ANI) — U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a potential diplomatic breakthrough with Iran, saying he expects an agreement to extend the current truce and restore transit through the Strait of Hormuz “over the next week.”
Speaking to ABC News, Trump said he has not yet given final approval to a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) intended to reopen the strategic shipping route.
“I still have to get a few more points,” Trump said.
His comments came hours after he stated that negotiations with Tehran were progressing “at a rapid pace,” despite recent exchanges of fire that have strained the fragile ceasefire between the two countries.
In a post on Truth Social earlier Monday, Trump wrote, “Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The diplomatic efforts are unfolding amid heightened regional tensions. The ceasefire, established nearly two months ago after weeks of conflict, has come under renewed pressure following retaliatory strikes exchanged by U.S. and Iranian forces over the weekend and into Monday.
The latest hostilities have fueled concerns that the truce could collapse and jeopardize ongoing negotiations.
Seeking to prevent broader regional escalation, Trump disclosed that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and representatives of Hezbollah amid increasing tensions in Lebanon.
Describing the outcome of those discussions, Trump wrote, “I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel, and there will be no troops going to Beirut, and any troops that are on their way have already been turned back.”
Trump also claimed that Hezbollah had agreed to halt attacks against Israel.
“They agreed that all shooting will stop — that Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel,” he said.
Meanwhile, reports emerged that Iran might suspend diplomatic engagement with Washington, a claim Trump dismissed during an interview with NBC News.
“I think it’s fine if they’re done talking,” Trump said, while noting that the United States had received no official notification from Tehran regarding any suspension of negotiations.
“But they haven’t informed us of that. It doesn’t mean we’re going to go and start dropping bombs all over there,” he added.
The diplomatic developments come against the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Lebanon.
Over the weekend, Israeli forces reportedly carried out their deepest ground incursion into Lebanese territory in more than two decades.
On Monday, Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered additional strikes against Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
Trump’s conversation with Netanyahu reportedly occurred shortly after those operations were launched.
The escalation prompted a stronger response from Tehran, which announced Monday that it had suspended the exchange of messages with Washington through diplomatic intermediaries following the military action in Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that any violation of the ceasefire in Lebanon could have broader consequences.
“The ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The U.S. and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation,” Araqchi wrote on X.
The developments underscore the delicate nature of ongoing diplomatic efforts as Washington seeks to preserve the ceasefire while managing escalating tensions across the region. (ANI)
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