Trump Says Iran Deal Could Come in Days for 37th Time
US President Donald Trump stated overnight into Tuesday that a deal to end the war in Iran could be reached within two or three days amid Iran tensions, marking the 37th time he has made similar claims since the conflict began. According to a CNN tally, Trump has claimed the US was close to an Iran deal at least 37 times through social media, public appearances and media conversations. [1] Israel accepted a US request to halt strikes on Iran but will continue operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. [3] Iran and Israel agreed to a fragile ceasefire after mutual attacks, with both sides warning of harsher responses to any violations. [4]
Trump's Latest Prediction on Iran Deal
US President Donald Trump stated overnight into Tuesday that an agreement to end the war in Iran could be in place within two or three days. [1] Trump described the current situation as the final phase of a deal that could be completed soon. [1] Speaking to reporters late on Monday, Trump said the United States was in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal and predicted that Israel and Iran would leave each other alone for at least a week. [2] This marks the 37th time Trump has made similar claims, according to a CNN tally of statements through social media posts, public appearances and conversations with the media. [2] The remarks come as the situation in the Middle East remains tense amid rapidly evolving security developments.
History of Trump's Repeated Assertions
Trump's assertions that a deal between Israel and Iran was close began early in the conflict and continued for months, often with increasing confidence. [2] On March 23, less than a month into the war, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that peace talks were progressing and pointed to what he described as major points of agreement, almost all points of agreement. [2] A day later, he suggested that Iran was eager to reach an agreement, saying he thought they were going to end it but could not tell for sure. [2] By March 25, he said Iran wanted to make a deal so badly. [2] The following day, during a Cabinet meeting, he claimed Tehran was begging to make a deal. [2] On March 29, when asked by reporters aboard Air Force One whether he expected an agreement within the following week, Trump replied that he did see a deal in Iran. [2] His predictions grew increasingly emphatic in the weeks that followed. On April 6, Trump said the two sides had been very close to a deal before encountering a setback. [2] The next day, he announced a ceasefire that was initially expected to last two weeks while negotiations continued. [2] Speaking to Fox News on April 15, Trump said he thought it was close to over and viewed it as very close to over, adding that they want to make a deal very badly. [2] Over the following weeks, Trump repeatedly suggested the conflict was nearing an end, telling reporters on May 1 that when the war ends, which should not be too long. [2] After a brief pause in such predictions, Trump said on May 18 that he was postponing military strikes for two or three days at the request of Middle Eastern countries because they think that they are getting very close to making a deal. [2] On May 28, in an interview with Lara Trump, he described the parties as being close to a very good deal. [2] Most recently, on Sunday, Trump said they were very close to having a deal, while suggesting that continued clashes between Israel and Iran risked undermining the negotiations. [2]
Fragile Ceasefire After Mutual Attacks
After escalation of the conflict and mutual missile attacks between Tel Aviv and Teheran, US President Donald Trump urged both sides to stop shooting immediately. [3] Following the pause in direct hostilities, both Israel and Iran paused direct hostilities on Monday shortly after Trump called for an end to the fighting. [2] Officials on both sides indicated that military operations could resume if conditions deteriorate. [2] After mutual attacks, a fragile ceasefire holds between Israel and Iran, though both sides warned of harsher responses to any violations. [4] The confrontation, the first since two months, could endanger efforts by US President Donald Trump to end the Iran war. [4] In a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the ceasefire on Monday evening and threatened that Israel would respond with all hardness if Iran attacks again. [4] Netanyahu stated that the dispute with Iran and the Hezbollah militia from Lebanon is not over. [4]
Israel's Continued Operations in Lebanon
Israel accepted a US request to halt strikes on Iran but will continue operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. [3] One source described the situation as very fragile, noting the ongoing threat from Iran that it could attack Israel again if Israeli forces continue operations in Lebanon. [3] Iran had earlier on Monday stated that it was suspending its military operation against Israel but at the same time warned that it could resume if Israel continues strikes on Lebanon. [3] According to CNN, Israel's decision relates to stopping strikes on Iran at the request of the US administration, while operations in southern Lebanon remain in force. [3] In Lebanon, Israeli attacks continued. The Lebanese news agency NNA reported several attacks again in the southern area of the country. [4] An Israeli air strike on a vehicle killed at least five people, according to the report. [4] Hezbollah in turn claimed to have carried out several attacks on Israeli positions in southern Lebanon. [4]
Trump's Warning to Netanyahu
Trump warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel risks isolation if the conflict expands into a wider regional war. [4] According to the Israeli television channel N12, US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Netanyahu in a telephone call. [4] If the attacks expand into a more extensive regional conflict, the country could end up isolated. [4] The US and Israel had jointly begun the war against Iran at the end of February. [4] Since a ceasefire at the beginning of April, concerns have grown in Israel that Trump could make far-reaching concessions to Iran for an agreement to end the conflict. [4]
Regional Aftermath and Restrictions Lifted
Following the pause in direct hostilities, Israel reopened schools and Iran lifted flight restrictions, while a Houthi drone from Yemen was intercepted over Eilat. [4] After the end of the attacks, restrictions were eased again in Israel and Iran. [4] In Israel, schools were to open regularly again, while Tehran lifted restrictions on air traffic. [4] Iraq and Syria also reopened their airspace. [4] Meanwhile, the Israeli air force intercepted a drone from Yemen over the southern part of the country at night, according to its own statements. [4] The incident in the airspace over the city of Eilat on the Red Sea has now ended, the military informed via the X service. [4] The Houthi militia in Yemen, allied with Tehran, had previously claimed an attack on Israel with several rockets on Monday. [4] It was the first direct attack by the Houthis on Israel since the beginning of April, apparently triggered by the mutual attacks by Israel and Iran. [4]
What to watch next
Observers will monitor whether Israel maintains its halt on strikes against Iran while continuing operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and whether Iran follows through on threats of harsher measures if those Lebanon actions persist.
