Trump Signals ‘Very Real’ Chance of Iran Deal to End Conflict
2026-03-23 - 18:03
US President Donald Trump said there is a “very real” opportunity to reach an agreement with Iran that could end military operations that began earlier this month, stressing that oil prices would drop sharply once a deal is reached. Speaking to reporters before traveling from Florida to Tennessee, Trump said, “We have a very real opportunity to make a deal. These talks are not a guarantee. We have a genuine chance for an agreement. But I don’t guarantee anything.” He noted that US Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner have been managing the negotiations, which he described as “extremely strong.” Trump added, “We’ll see where it leads. We have key points of agreement. I can say the talks have gone perfectly. I believe that if they comply, this problem and conflict will be resolved; indeed, it could be resolved in a very substantial and major way.” The President emphasized that the US pays “close attention” to its partners in the Middle East, with whom Washington has maintained excellent relations. He noted that many of them had been caught off guard by recent attacks, which surprised him and everyone else. Trump confirmed that the talks continued late into Sunday evening, with both sides showing a strong willingness to reach an agreement. He added that further discussions are expected today, likely via phone due to the difficulty of arranging a direct meeting, noting, “However, we will meet face-to-face at some point, very soon. We have set a fiveday timeframe and will see how things proceed. If all goes well, we will ultimately succeed in resolving this matter.” Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said it will reopen “very soon,” adding that if plans proceed as intended, Iran will still be able to manage the flow of resources through a shared oversight mechanism, potentially involving him and the Iranian leadership. He described the current negotiations as representing “a serious form of regime change,” noting that previous leadership figures had been eliminated and that Iran is essentially starting from scratch, making a change of regime already effectively underway. Trump said Washington is dealing with Iranian negotiators whom he considers “highly rational and well-grounded,” and that they are respected within Iran’s internal circles. He clarified that the Iranian counterpart leading the current negotiations is not Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The President stressed that US demands include no nuclear weapons or near-nuclear capabilities, strict missile control, and a lasting peace in the Middle East. “We want the nuclear dust to disappear. I believe we will achieve that,” he said. – Kuna