Trump says Iran ceasefire talks likely to be settled soon

2026-05-23

US President Donald Trump said in a speech in New York state on Sunday that talks aimed at ending the fighting with Iran would 'soon be settled'. He also stressed that 'they will never obtain nuclear weapons'.

Talks seen in final stretch

There is a view that the negotiations are entering their final stretch. Trump said he would remain in Washington, changing his weekend plans. A wedding was scheduled for his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., but he posted on social media that 'government-related circumstances and love for the United States would not allow it'.

Trump also said in the speech that oil prices would 'drop sharply immediately' if the Iran issue is resolved. With the US midterm elections in November in mind, he signaled a desire to end the fighting as soon as possible. He did not, however, spell out the details of the talks or whether he would order another attack if they collapsed.

US-Iran coordination continues

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that there had been 'some progress' in the talks. 'There is still much to be done, but it is a good sign,' he told reporters during a visit to Sweden. He cited disposal of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, how future enrichment would be handled, and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open as the 'core of the agreement'.

Moves by mediator Pakistan are also gathering pace. Pakistani authorities said on Sunday that army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir had arrived in Tehran, the capital of Iran. He may enter into deeper coordination with the Iranian side. Munir is the head of Pakistan's military and is said to be highly trusted by Trump. He was invited to the White House and met with Trump in 2025.

The standoff between the United States and Iran over nuclear development and transit through the Strait of Hormuz has dragged on, leaving talks on a lasting end to the fighting deadlocked. There have also been reports that both sides have recently been exchanging documents through Pakistan as a mediator and working to align the details.

As for the ceasefire talks, coordination continues with mediators and neighboring countries involved. Tasnim News, which is close to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, reported on Sunday that a Qatari delegation was meeting Iranian officials in Tehran. It said this on the basis of comments from a foreign ministry spokesperson.

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