US President Donald Trump predicted on Thursday that the war with Iran would end soon and that an agreement would be reached with the Islamic Republic to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, “I think the war will end pretty soon. I don't think they can go much longer."
Asked whether a deal has been reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the President replied, “I don't want to say it has been, but it's sort of open right now. We control it, but they can always shoot something, drop a mine."
Regarding ongoing negotiations with Iran, Trump stated, “I think we’re doing very well. I'm involved in the negotiations with Iran. We are doing fine. [A deal] could be soon."
On Wednesday, Trump addressed the ongoing confrontation with Tehran during an appearance in Nevada, indicating that American forces are “knocking the hell out of them" while maintaining that his overarching objective remains securing a diplomatic resolution.
“I would rather make a deal because I don't want to kill people," the President stated, adding, “We were set for the biggest attack of any attack, and we've hit them very hard for the last few months, but we were all set for the biggest attack since World War II. And they called me, and they said, ‘Please don't do it, let's talk. And then they said, we never said that."
“But we are talking, let's see what happens. But they respect us. They respect us," he said, continuing, “It's been 50 years. And no other president has done what you should have done a long time ago, because Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon."
The Nevada remarks mirrored statements delivered by the President during a Tuesday night interview on Fox News, where he confirmed active communications with Tehran and warned of further military actions if international shipping routes remain obstructed.
“Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. They already can't, but it's going to be formal. The Strait's going to be open very soon, or they're going to get hit very hard, and then the Strait's going to be open," he said in the interview.
Describing ongoing contact, he asserted that both sides are “having very good discussions" before addressing denials issued by Iranian representatives: “They don't like to admit that, but you know it's a little bit disconcerting. You tell people ‘we’re having wonderful discussions’ and then some guy will come out of Iran and say ‘We have not met.’ It’s a lie. They want to make a deal."
When asked at what point negotiations would be deemed exhausted, Trump remarked, “I have plenty of time."