WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that negotiations between the United States and Iran are progressing and could produce results as early as this weekend, despite Iran’s assessment that no significant breakthrough has been achieved.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had received positive reports about the discussions.
“I hear the negotiation itself is going very well actually,” Trump said. He added that an agreement “could happen” over the weekend.
Trump’s remarks contrasted with comments from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said communication channels between the two countries remain open but that negotiators have made “no tangible progress.”
The U.S. president also said he wants to separate discussions with Iran from negotiations involving the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“I’d like to separate it,” Trump said, describing the two issues as distinct matters.
Trump said the United States had communicated with Hezbollah as part of efforts to reduce hostilities in Lebanon. He also said both Hezbollah and Israel had indicated a willingness to refrain from further attacks while discussions continue.
The comments came after renewed military activity in the region. U.S. forces said they intercepted Iranian drones and struck an Iranian ground-control facility, while Iranian forces launched drones and missiles toward several Gulf states.
Trump downplayed the significance of the latest exchanges, saying they occurred despite existing ceasefire arrangements.
A ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been in effect since April, while a separate ceasefire in Lebanon also took effect that month. However, sporadic clashes and military exchanges have continued in both theaters since the agreements were announced.