WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump has raised expectations that a breakthrough agreement with Iran could be reached this weekend, potentially paving the way for an end to the three-month-long conflict that has unsettled global oil markets and drawn criticism from many Americans.
Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Trump said the United States and Iran were moving closer to a deal and indicated that Vice President JD Vance could be sent to attend a signing ceremony if an agreement is finalized.
The announcement comes as Trump prepares for a busy weekend that includes the return of the FIFA World Cup to the United States, attendance at a UFC event hosted at the White House, and participation in the upcoming G7 summit in the French Alps.
Despite expressing confidence, Trump has previously suggested that an agreement with Iran was imminent without a deal materializing. Iranian officials responded cautiously to his latest comments, saying mediators remain active but no final agreement has been reached.
“They’ve taken a pounding like very few people could take,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “And they want to make the deal a lot more than I do.”
The president provided few details about the proposed settlement but described it as a “very strong” agreement that would prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Trump also suggested that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is prepared to support the deal.
The latest diplomatic efforts follow renewed tensions and military exchanges that effectively undermined a temporary ceasefire reached earlier this year. Trump had recently threatened stronger military action against Iran, including intensified bombardments and possible moves targeting the country’s oil infrastructure.
However, he later signaled a shift toward diplomacy, announcing that he had canceled plans for what he described as “very hard” strikes because negotiations were making progress.
According to Ali Vaez, Iran Director at the International Crisis Group, Trump’s tough rhetoric may have been intended to pressure Iran into negotiations while also reassuring more hawkish supporters within his political base.
Regional mediators from Pakistan, Turkey and Qatar have reportedly been involved in efforts to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran.
At the same time, Iran’s recent decision to launch direct attacks against Israel has further complicated the situation, raising concerns about broader regional instability and increasing the stakes for the United States and its allies.
Vaez noted that Trump appears eager to end the conflict but faces a difficult balancing act.
“It really does appear to me that Trump wants to bring this to an end, but his real challenge is that he’s looking for a victory lap and an exit ramp, and those two things are not necessarily compatible,” Vaez said.
Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States has already achieved significant military objectives during the conflict, citing heavy losses among Iran’s leadership and damage to its military capabilities.
Nevertheless, major challenges remain. Iran continues to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that previously handled about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, while negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program have yet to fully resume.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the coming days could prove crucial in determining whether Trump can secure the agreement he believes could bring the war to a close.
