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According to Trump, tensions escalated after Iran reacted negatively to Israeli military activity connected to developments in Lebanon. The situation raised concerns that diplomatic momentum could be lost just as both sides appeared to be making headway.
Trump claimed he stepped in personally to prevent the dispute from spiraling into something larger.
“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 said.
The president suggested that a successful diplomatic resolution with Tehran could ultimately prove more valuable than achieving military objectives through force.
“A peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory,” he said.
Despite his optimistic outlook, Trump made clear that reaching a final accord will not be easy. He pointed to decades of distrust and conflict between the United States and the Iranian regime as significant hurdles that remain in the way of a lasting agreement.
“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.”
He added that challenges exist on both sides of the negotiating table.
“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 potential timing of a formal understanding that could help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump indicated that developments could come sooner rather than later.
“I think you’re talking about over the next week,” he said.
Still, the president cautioned that several unresolved matters remain under discussion before negotiators can declare victory.
“I still have to get a few more points,” he said.
Trump’s comments came after uncertainty spread earlier Monday when Iranian officials announced that communications with the United States had been suspended. Tehran blamed what it described as Israeli aggression in Lebanon for the interruption.
The announcement fueled speculation that negotiations were collapsing and that hopes for a broader agreement might be fading.
Later in the day, however, Trump sought to calm those concerns.
Using social media, the president stated that talks had not broken down and that discussions with Iran were still moving forward.
He described the negotiations as “continuing” and proceeding at a “rapid pace,” signaling that both sides remain engaged despite public statements suggesting otherwise.
As of now, Iran has not publicly verified Trump’s assertion that communications have resumed.
Trump also used social media to describe what he characterized as direct intervention aimed at preventing a wider regional conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah.
In one post, he claimed that he personally secured assurances from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding military operations near Lebanon’s capital.
“There will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back,” Trump wrote.
The statement followed reports indicating that Netanyahu had pushed for additional military strikes in southern Beirut.
Trump further asserted that Hezbollah agreed to halt attacks against Israel through discussions conducted by intermediaries.
“Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop — That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel,” Trump claimed.
The diplomatic maneuvering comes amid broader efforts to transform the existing ceasefire into a more durable peace arrangement that could reduce tensions across the region.
Earlier reports suggesting Iran had cut off communications sparked fears that negotiations were unraveling. Trump later dismissed those concerns during a separate interview with NBC News, indicating that public rhetoric from Tehran should not be interpreted as the final word on the status of talks.
At the center of the negotiations is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategically significant waterways on the planet. A substantial share of the world’s oil exports travels through the narrow passage, making stability there a matter of global economic importance.
Should the Trump administration succeed in helping secure a lasting agreement and reopen the shipping route, the impact could extend far beyond the Middle East. Energy prices, international commerce, and regional security could all be affected by the outcome.
For now, Trump is projecting confidence that a breakthrough remains within reach — and that the next week could prove decisive.
