United States President Donald Trump says a deal with Iran is now “very possible,” raising cautious hopes that weeks of tension in the Middle East could ease.
Speaking amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump pointed to what he described as steady progress in talks between Washington and Tehran.
His comments come at a delicate moment, with both sides trying to avoid a return to full-scale conflict.
At the centre of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz a narrow but vital waterway that carries a significant share of the world’s oil.
The route has been largely disrupted since fighting escalated earlier this year, rattling global markets and pushing up energy prices.
In recent days, the U.S. paused its plan to escort commercial ships through the strait, a move widely seen as an attempt to give negotiations more breathing room.
While Washington has framed that step as a goodwill gesture, Iran has maintained that any agreement must be balanced and respect its interests.
Despite the more optimistic tone, the situation remains fragile. A ceasefire reached weeks ago is still holding, but there have been sporadic incidents at sea and heightened military activity across the Gulf.
Behind the scenes, diplomats are working to bridge deep differences ranging from security concerns to Iran’s nuclear programme and regional influence. So far, progress has been slow, with only limited direct talks between both sides.
For now, Trump’s remarks suggest momentum may be building.
But as previous efforts have shown, turning optimism into a lasting agreement will depend on whether both sides are willing to compromise on some of the toughest issues at the heart of the conflict.
