WASHINGTON, April 17 (NNN-Bernama-Anadolu) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that the US is “very close” to making a deal with Iran, as a two-week ceasefire between the two countries nears its expiration, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
“And if that happens, oil goes way down, prices go way down, inflation goes way down, and you won’t have nuclear holocaust,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
“We’re getting along very well with the new Iranian leaders. It really is a regime change.”
However, Trump did not give a clear indication of whether the ceasefire would be extended.
“I’m not sure it needs to be extended,” he said, adding: “Iran wants to make a deal, and we’re dealing very nicely with them … and they’re willing to do things today that they weren’t willing to do two months ago.”
He claimed Iran had agreed not to develop a nuclear weapon. “They’ve agreed to it, very powerfully; they’ve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust.”
Trump said he might visit Islamabad if a deal is reached.
Asked about the next round of direct talks, Trump said it could take place “maybe over the weekend.”
He said the deal would be announced “fairly soon,” adding: “That’ll give us free oil and free Hormuz Strait. Everything will be nice, and I think your oil price will go down lower than it was before.”
His remarks came as the US and Iran have been holding negotiations, mediated by Pakistan, to extend a two-week ceasefire announced last week, which is set to expire on April 22.
Earlier Thursday, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that US forces remain “locked and loaded” to resume strikes if Iran rejects a deal.
— NNN-BERNAMA-ANADOLU