President Donald Trump stated that an agreement with Iran could be reached as early as this weekend amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. While the potential for a deal has increased, Iran's continued airstrikes in the region leave the final outcome uncertain.
On June 3, following the signing of an executive order at the White House, Trump responded to a question about Iran's attack on Kuwait, saying, "I have heard that the negotiations are going very well." He added, "It may not happen, but if it does, it could happen over the weekend." He noted that they are "theoretically quite close" to signing a document.
Trump also addressed the issue of Iran's handling of highly enriched uranium (HEU), stating, "We will secure it in the very near future," and confirmed that an agreement to secure and destroy it has been reached with Iran. He indicated that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened immediately upon signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the handling of Iran's HEU stockpile is central to the ceasefire negotiations, noting that final discussions are underway. He stated, "This issue is clearly addressed in the exchanged documents," but added that as of that morning, final approval had not been received from their command structure.
Rubio stressed that the ceasefire negotiations should involve a reciprocal arrangement: the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of U.S. maritime sanctions against Iran, the disposal of Iran's HEU, and limitations on its enrichment program.
Israel and Lebanon Agree to Ceasefire with U.S. Mediation
In the meantime, Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement with U.S. mediation, signaling a potential breakthrough in U.S.-Iran negotiations.The U.S. State Department announced that Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement the ceasefire. According to Reuters and the Associated Press, both sides issued a joint statement following the fourth round of high-level trilateral talks held in Washington, D.C., on June 2-3.
The joint statement outlined that the agreement hinges on a complete cessation of attacks by Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned armed group in Lebanon, and the withdrawal of all Hezbollah personnel from southern Lebanon's Litani region. Both sides also agreed to expedite the establishment of a demonstration area under the exclusive control of the Lebanese military, guided by the U.S.
Additionally, Israel and Lebanon plan to resume political and security negotiations in the week of June 22, aiming for a comprehensive agreement. The U.S. intends to continue facilitating communication between the two parties during this period.
If tensions on the Lebanon front ease, it could bolster the U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations. Iran has previously linked the ceasefire in Lebanon to its negotiation terms, making this agreement a potential factor for improving the U.S.-Iran negotiation environment.
Iran Continues Airstrikes on Regional Nations
However, Iran's ongoing airstrikes against U.S. military bases and regional nations such as Kuwait and Bahrain indicate a hardline stance, leaving the final agreement uncertain.Earlier that morning, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had attacked U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for strikes on an Iranian oil tanker and a communications tower on Qeshm Island. The Kuwaiti Defense Ministry reported that it intercepted 13 ballistic missiles and 17 drones launched by Iran that morning. Significant damage occurred to civilian infrastructure, including Kuwait International Airport, resulting in one Indian resident's death and several injuries.
In response, Mohsen Rezaei, a military advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "History cannot be reversed, and the aggressors will soon be punished," adding that all attacks would be met with missile and drone retaliation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also justified the airstrikes on X, stating, "Our military is conducting defensive strikes against areas permitted for U.S. attacks on civilian vessels and violations of the ceasefire."
As a result, attention is focused on whether Iran's stance will change following the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
Meanwhile, President Trump reportedly intends to avoid full-scale war with Iran unless U.S. military casualties occur. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump recently told aides that he would consider ending the ceasefire if U.S. troops were killed in an Iranian attack. This suggests he is willing to tolerate minor conflicts for weeks or months to avoid a larger confrontation in the Middle East.
In the U.S., there is increasing movement to check the president's war powers. According to reports from the Associated Press, the House of Representatives voted 215-208 in favor of a Democratic-led resolution aimed at limiting Trump's authority to engage in military actions against Iran without congressional approval, except in cases of defending the U.S. and its allies from imminent attacks.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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