Washington/Tehran: US President Donald Trump, who recently announced a five-day temporary ceasefire with Iran, has indicated that the ongoing conflict could come to an end within a week if the current round of peace negotiations succeeds. He suggested that a breakthrough in talks may even lead to a joint arrangement involving the United States and Iran in overseeing the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz once it is reopened to global shipping.
Trump’s remarks came in his first public response after ordering a halt to attack on Iranian energy infrastructure. He conveyed optimism about the negotiations, stating that discussions had progressed significantly and that there was broad agreement on key issues. He also expressed the belief that Tehran could be willing to abandon its nuclear ambitions as part of a comprehensive peace agreement.
Ceasefire, pressure, and the prospect of a deal
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump maintained that the conflict was at a decisive stage, with a real possibility of resolution within days if negotiations continued positively. At the same time, he reiterated that the United States was prepared to resume military action if talks failed, underlining a dual approach of diplomacy backed by pressure.
He referred to a previously planned strike on a major Iranian power plant, highlighting the scale of destruction that could have occurred. The decision to pause such operations, according to him, was intended to create space for negotiations and encourage Tehran to engage constructively. Trump further noted that his West Asian envoy Steve Witkoff, along with his senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, had already held substantial discussions with Iranian representatives. He indicated that these talks began over the weekend and were continuing, with both sides reportedly finding common ground on several issues.
Iran’s response and claims of US retreat
Iranian state media, however, presented a contrasting narrative, asserting that the United States had stepped back from escalation due to fears of a strong Iranian retaliatory response. This claim followed Trump’s earlier ultimatum, which reportedly gave Iran 48 hours to reopen the partially closed Strait of Hormuz or face further attacks targeting critical infrastructure. Tehran has so far refused to comply with the ultimatum, maintaining its stance despite mounting pressure. Iranian authorities have framed the situation as one where Washington is recalibrating its approach in the face of potential regional consequences.
Amid these tensions, Trump floated the idea that a future arrangement over the Strait of Hormuz could involve both American and Iranian leadership. He suggested that such a framework might include cooperation with Iran’s next religious leadership, indicating a possible shift in governance dynamics linked to the outcome of the conflict.
Uncertainty over leadership and regime change signals
Trump also acknowledged uncertainty regarding the status of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that he was not fully aware of whether the leader was alive following reports of injuries sustained in an airstrike earlier this year. Notably, Khamenei has not appeared in public since the reported incident on February 28. In parallel, the US President suggested that Washington was actively pursuing a broader political transformation in Iran. He indicated that discussions were taking place with influential and respected figures within the country who could potentially play a role in shaping a new leadership structure.
According to Trump, these individuals were well-known within Iran and capable of leading the kind of change that the United States seeks. He also hinted at direct communication with one such figure, describing them as a highly respected leader, and suggested that logistical challenges were complicating their engagement.
Diplomatic engagements and global reactions
On the diplomatic front, reports indicate that US envoys Witkoff and Kushner have been engaged in talks with Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is believed to be representing Tehran in the negotiations. While Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed the identity of their negotiating representative, Israeli media sources have pointed to Ghalibaf’s involvement. These developments have drawn attention from global powers, with Russia closely monitoring the evolving situation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that multiple and sometimes contradictory statements were emerging regarding the conflict, emphasising that Moscow continues to observe developments carefully while expressing hope for a peaceful resolution.
At the same time, Israel has reportedly been taken by surprise by Trump’s optimistic assessment of the negotiations. While Israeli officials were aware that indirect talks were being facilitated by various intermediaries, they were not expecting such strong indications of progress or agreement on key issues. Further diplomatic activity is expected later this week, with US-Israeli discussions scheduled to take place in Islamabad. US Vice President J.D. Vance is likely to represent Washington at the summit, where broader regional security concerns and the implications of a potential US-Iran deal are expected to be discussed.
Overall, the situation remains fluid, marked by a mix of cautious optimism and deep uncertainty. While the ceasefire has created an opening for dialogue, significant challenges persist, including disagreements over strategic control, leadership transitions, and the future of Iran’s nuclear programme. The coming days are likely to be critical in determining whether diplomacy prevails or the conflict escalates once again.
