Trump Says U.S. in "Deep" Iran Talks, Direct Negotiations Said to Be Near

April 5 — U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States is engaged in "deep negotiations" with Iran and sees a strong chance of reaching an agreement ahead of a Tuesday deadline, Axios reported. In a phone interview, Trump said he believed a deal was within reach, adding that if an agreement is not reached, "I will destroy everything there." Asked about the risk to civilians, Trump said he thinks Iranians who oppose their own government would support strikes that weaken the regime. Trump said his envoys Witkoff and Kushner are involved in intensive talks. Two sources familiar with the negotiations said communications have moved through intermediaries including Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey, and also via text messages between Trump's advisers and Iran's foreign minister, Alireza 阿拉格奇. Trump said the negotiations were progressing, though he described reaching a conclusion with Iran as difficult. He added that the sides were close to agreeing on direct talks a few days ago, but decided to meet again in five days. "I asked why five days? I felt they weren't serious enough. So I attacked the bridge," he said. According to PolyBeats, market-implied odds of a U.S.-Iran ceasefire stand at 22% by end-April, 39% by end-May and 49% by end-June, each slightly higher than before.