Trump says Israel, Iran agree to pause conflict for a week

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has claimed that Israel and Iran have agreed to “leave each other alone for another week” following what he described as a “very good conversation” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to international media reports.

Speaking to reporters, Trump suggested that recent escalations between the two regional rivals had reached a temporary pause after both sides exchanged strikes. “He was hit, and he hit back, and I can’t blame him for that,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu. “But he was hit, he hit back, and now they’ve called it quits. So they’re going to just leave each other alone for another week or something.”

His remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where sporadic exchanges between Israel and Iran have raised fears of a broader regional conflict involving multiple states and global powers.

Trump also pointed to what he described as progress in broader diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing nuclear escalation in the region. He said the United States was “in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal” that would ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons capability “in any way, shape, or form.”

While he did not provide specific details of the alleged negotiations, Trump indicated that a breakthrough could be imminent, suggesting that a formal agreement may be reached within days.

He further claimed that one of the key strategic waterways in global energy trade, the Strait of Hormuz, could reopen “immediately upon signing,” potentially within “two or three days” of any agreement. The strait is a vital shipping route through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes, making its stability crucial for global markets.

The comments come at a time when diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East remain highly sensitive and closely watched by global powers. Neither Israeli nor Iranian officials immediately responded to Trump’s statements.

Analysts note that while informal pauses in hostilities have occurred in the past, long-term stability in the region depends on sustained diplomatic engagement and verified agreements.

As speculation builds around possible backchannel negotiations, Trump’s remarks have added fresh attention to an already volatile geopolitical landscape, where even short-term de-escalation could carry significant global economic and security implications.