Trump Says Iran Nuclear Deal Could Be Near as Direct Talks Progress

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the United States is actively engaged in direct negotiations with Iran, expressing cautious optimism that a diplomatic agreement could be reached soon. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump described the talks as progressing "extremely well," while stopping short of committing to a specific timeline.

"I think we'll make a deal with them, but it's possible we won't," Trump stated, adding that he believed an agreement with Iran "could be soon." The comments come amid a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape following U.S. military strikes over the past month that reportedly eliminated several senior Iranian officials and dismantled key military infrastructure, including Tehran's air force, naval assets, and missile launch systems.

Despite Iran's repeated public denials of any direct dialogue with Washington since hostilities began in late February, Trump confirmed that negotiations are taking place both directly and indirectly. He also pointed to what he described as a significant concession from Tehran — the passage of approximately 20 large oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz — as a signal of Iran's willingness to engage. Reports indicate the vessels were Pakistani-flagged, and Trump said the movement was set to begin the following morning.

Trump also referenced potential "regime change" in Iran following the U.S. strikes, though he declined to clarify whether American ground troops would be deployed on Iranian soil, only stating that Washington was "weeks ahead of schedule."

Meanwhile, regional tensions remain elevated. Yemen's Houthi movement launched fresh attacks against Israel over the weekend, opening what analysts are calling a new front in the broader conflict. Iranian and Israeli forces also continued exchanging strikes, as the U.S. moved thousands of additional troops into the Middle East — underscoring the fragile and high-stakes nature of any potential diplomatic breakthrough.