Negotiations between the US and Iran remain ongoing, President Donald Trump said early on Tuesday morning, just hours after Iran and Israel agreed to halt attacks on one another that threatened to shatter a shaky ceasefire.
Trump said the talks with Tehran did not stop during the escalation in violence, signalling that a deal to formally end the war could be reached within "one or two days from now, but I think it's going well."
"They were going back and forth, and now they both agreed through me to stop, and we're in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal that will not allow in any way, shape, or form nuclear weapons, etc.," the US president told reporters as he prepared to return to the White House after attending an NBA Finals game in New York.
"The Strait (of Hormuz) will open up right away, it'll open up immediately upon signing, which could be in two or three days," he added.
‘Total victory’ in ‘two weeks’
Earlier on Monday, Iran announced an end to its attacks on Israel but warned of a “crushing” response if Israeli military attacks in Lebanon continue.
The Iranian military said Israel and its allies "should have learned" lessons from Tehran's response.
US President Donald Trump has said that the United States will declare "total victory" over Iran within the next two weeks, just hours after Iran and Israel agreed to halt the worst escalation in violence since a ceasefire took effect in April.
"We've been a very tough team, and I think we are winning that battle, but you're really going to win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory," Trump said on Monday during a telerally for Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Republican ally.
"It'll be a total victory. It'll happen very soon, and oil prices will come tumbling down."
Tensions remain high
Regional tensions spiked on Sunday when Israel bombed the Lebanese capital of Beirut despite an ongoing ceasefire.
The move prompted Iran to launch retaliatory missiles into northern Israel, which in turn triggered waves of Israeli airstrikes against Iranian targets.
Trump intervened early on Monday, posting on his Truth Social platform to call on Israel and Iran to stop fighting "immediately."
On Monday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address that the fighting with Iran had stopped "for now" but threatened Israel would retaliate if it came under attack.
