Trump "Negotiating with Iran, even on the weekend... I might go myself"

Trump meeting with reporters and answering questions

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on the 17th (local time) that the U.S. and Iran would continue negotiations over the weekend and that there were not many major issues remaining.

President Trump met with reporters on his way to the 'Turning Point USA' event in Arizona that day and said, "We'll have to see how the (negotiation) results turn out, but it looks good."

He then stated that "talks with Iran are ongoing and will continue through the weekend (18th-19th)," adding, "Many good things are happening, including in Lebanon."

This was in reference to the ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which took effect through his mediation. In response, Iran declared, "All merchant vessels will be fully permitted to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz for the remainder of the ceasefire period."

Earlier that day, President Trump said in a phone interview with the online media outlet Axios, "Iran wants to meet (with the U.S.). They want to make a deal," adding, "Talks (for a peace agreement) will probably be held this weekend. We think we'll get a deal in a day or two."

However, there is no news or related movement yet that high-level face-to-face talks, where the two sides sit opposite each other as they did on the 11th-12th, will take place over the weekend. Therefore, President Trump's mention of 'negotiations' is interpreted to include indirect communication through third parties.

In a phone interview with Bloomberg News, President Trump stated, "Most of the major issues (negotiations) are concluded. It will move very quickly," and when asked if Iran's nuclear program would be permanently halted, he replied, "There is no term (for the halt). Indefinite."

In a phone interview with Reuters, he also said that the U.S. would "leisurely" enter underground facilities in Iran with Iran, "excavate" the 'nuclear waste' (enriched uranium) there with "heavy equipment," and recover it to the U.S. "very early."

However, regarding media reports that the U.S. would pay Iran $20 billion in return, he denied it, saying, "Completely wrong. No money is changing hands."

Axios reported the previous day that as part of the agreement being discussed between the U.S. and Iran, the U.S. would unfreeze $20 billion in Iranian funds in exchange for Iran giving up its enriched uranium stockpiles.

When reporters asked if a difference in positions had emerged between the two sides after Iran countered Trump's statement that Iran would transfer nuclear material to the U.S. by saying, "Enriched uranium will not be transferred anywhere," President Trump replied, "If there is such a thing, I will correct it," but added, "I don't think there are many significant differences."

Regarding the U.S. military's continued naval blockade against Iran despite the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, he said, "The blockade will be lifted when the (peace) agreement is signed."

President Trump told Bloomberg that he had not yet decided who would lead the second round of negotiations, which are expected to take place in mediating country Pakistan, and when asked if he would go to Pakistan himself, he said, "It's possible." This is interpreted to mean that he is considering going to the site himself to promote the historic achievement if negotiations between government officials of the two countries are concluded.

Vice President JD Vance led the U.S. negotiating team in the first round of negotiations held in Islamabad, Pakistan.

President Trump also told Reuters that the U.S. is cooperating with Iran to remove mines in the Strait of Hormuz.