Trump suggests Iran ceasefire deal possible this weekend amid escalating attacks

President Donald Trump has signaled a potential end to the three-month conflict with Iran, announcing Thursday that the United States and Iran could finalize an agreement this weekend. This development comes as Trump prepares for a busy weekend, including hosting the World Cup's return to the U.S. and celebrating his 80th birthday at a White House UFC event, before heading to the G7 summit.

Trump's announcement suggests a shift from recent escalations, which included threats of increased bombardment and seizing Iran's oil industry, including the critical Kharg Island facility. These threats followed a week of back-and-forth strikes that had largely nullified a temporary ceasefire agreed upon in early April. Trump stated that Iran had "taken a pounding" and expressed confidence that a deal would be reached, asserting that Iran desires the agreement more than he does.

Details about the proposed settlement remain scarce, though Trump described it as "very strong" but "a little conceptual." He indicated that the agreement would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and suggested that the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the war's first day and is believed to have been wounded, is ready to approve the deal.

Analysts suggest Trump's threats to escalate military action may have been a tactic to appease the more hawkish elements within his political base, demonstrating a willingness to take a hard line if a swift resolution was not achieved. A spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed that mediators were active but stated that no final agreement had been reached to end the conflict.

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They’ve taken a pounding like very few people could take. And they want to make the deal a lot more than I do.