U.S. President Says Iran War Should End 'Soon', Both Sides May Meet at Weekend

Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he was confident that an agreement to end the Iran war could be reached soon, and called on the Tehran-backed Hezbollah to maintain the ceasefire as a 10-day truce came into effect between Lebanon and Israel.

President Trump added that the next round of talks between the United States and Iran could take place at the weekend, and that a two-week extension to the ceasefire remained possible, though it might not be necessary as Tehran was seeking an agreement.

"We're going to see what happens. But I think we're very close to making a deal with Iran," he told reporters outside the White House, adding if an agreement was reached and signed in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, he may go there for the occasion.

Hours later while in Las Vegas, President Trump went further, saying the war "should be ending pretty soon".

The U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, which began on 28 February, has triggered the sharpest oil price shock on record and prompted the International Monetary Fund to downgrade its outlook for the global economy, warning that a prolonged conflict could bring the world close to recession.

According to Reuters, a Pakistani source involved in mediating between the United States and Iran said on Friday that back-channel diplomacy had made progress, adding that an upcoming meeting between the two sides could lead to the signing of an agreement.

The two sides would first sign a memorandum of understanding followed by a ⁠comprehensive agreement within 60 days, the source said.

"Detailed agreement comes later. Both sides are agreeing in principle. And technical bits come later," Reuters cited the source said, who spoke on condition of anonymity.



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