Washington 'very close' to deal with Iran as talks may resume this weekend, Trump says

By Seon Jae-kwan Posted : April 17, 2026, 09:10 Updated : April 17, 2026, 09:11
US President Donald Trump waves upon arrival at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 16, 2026. AFP-Yonhap
SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - The U.S. is  "very close" to reaching a deal with Iran to end the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, with talks between the two sides likely to resume as early as this weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for Las Vegas, Trump suggested some progress has been made in negotiations, though Tehran has yet to comment.

"The big thing we have to do is we have to make sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon," Trump said, adding "So, very important is that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, and they've agreed to that."

"We have a very powerful statement that they will not have beyond 20 years, that they will not have nuclear weapons," he also claimed.

With these developments, another round of talks could be held in Pakistan this weekend after the first round of talks collapsed without a deal last week, signaling that Trump, who may want to save face and leave, is seeking a breakthrough before April 21, when a two-week ceasefire agreed earlier this month is set to expire.

"If the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go. They want me to go," he added.

But it remains unclear whether Trump's remarks are accurate. Uranium enrichment is a make-or-break issue for Iran, which is unlikely to abandon it without major concessions.

Trump also warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to renewed confrontations. "I would say the fighting, if there's no deal, fighting resumes," he said.

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