US President Donald Trump said he remains optimistic about prospects for the Iran deal as a US delegation prepares for high-stakes talks in Pakistan. He said a peace agreement with Iran was within reach as diplomatic efforts intensified to end the nearly six-week conflict.
In an interview with NBC, Trump said Iran’s leaders speak differently in direct meetings than they do in public. He claimed they were being more reasonable in negotiations and were agreeing to the terms they needed to accept.
The remarks came as a delegation led by Vice President JD Vance prepared to travel to Pakistan for talks linked to the ceasefire process. The discussions are aimed at preventing further escalation and testing whether diplomacy can produce a broader agreement. Trump also warned that failure to reach a deal would bring serious consequences. His comments underscored the pressure surrounding the negotiations and the urgency attached to the next round of talks.
According to NBC, Trump also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and asked him to pause strikes to support the upcoming negotiations. Two senior administration officials told the network that the call took place on Wednesday.
Trump later confirmed the conversation and said Israeli operations in Lebanon were being scaled back. He said the moment required a more restrained approach to avoid undermining diplomacy. Vance used similar language while speaking to reporters in Hungary on Wednesday. He said Israel may need to “check themselves a little bit” in the assault on Lebanon.
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On one hand, Trump said he was encouraged by Iran’s tone in talks. On the other hand, he warned that the outcome would be painful if no agreement is reached.
That balance reflects the broader tension surrounding the negotiations. While officials prepare for talks in Pakistan, the regional situation remains fragile and closely tied to developments involving Israel, Iran and Lebanon.
