Trump Says Talks With Iran Are Ongoing Even on the Weekend... "There Aren't Many Major Differences"; Could Peace Be Achieved?

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\r[The Financial News] U.S. President Donald John Trump said that negotiations over a war between the US and Iran are continuing through the weekend. With the temporary lifting of the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, Trump appears determined to keep pressure on the talks until the very end.
Speaking to reporters at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on the way to a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event in the State of Arizona on the 17th local time, Trump said, "We’ll have to see how the outcome turns out, but it looks like it will be good."
He added, "The talks are still ongoing and will continue through the weekend. Many good things are happening, including in Lebanon. I don't think the major differences are very large."
Regarding the maritime blockade around the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said, "The blockade will end as soon as the agreement is signed."
Trump's remarks were interpreted as referring to the temporary easing of restrictions on passage through the Strait of Hormuz announced earlier that day. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, wrote on his social networking service (SNS) the same day, "In light of the Lebanon ceasefire situation, all merchant vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz will be fully allowed to sail during the remaining ceasefire period." Trump then posted on Truth Social, saying, "Iran has just announced that it has fully opened the Iranian Strait and is ready for full passage." He added, "The Strait of Hormuz is now fully open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade on Iran will remain fully in place until our deal with Iran is 100% complete."
Trump also told Axios in a phone interview, "Iran wants to meet with us." He added, "They want to make a deal. The talks for a ceasefire agreement will probably take place this weekend. We think we will reach an agreement within a day or two."
However, there has been no report yet of marathon negotiations in which senior officials sit face to face at the negotiating table, as took place on the 11th and 12th. For that reason, some are interpreting Trump's remarks as referring not to direct talks but to indirect negotiations through a third party.
Trump has repeatedly claimed through Truth Social and interviews with various media outlets that a deal with Iran is imminent. Still, major issues remain over the removal of enriched uranium from Iran, so the specific negotiation process will need to be watched closely.
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theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter