▲ U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on April 16, 2026, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)

Trump-Iran negotiations

Trump says U.S. 'very close' to Iran deal, negotiations may resume this weekend

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, April 16 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States is "very close" to making a deal with Iran, claiming the Islamic Republic has agreed not to have a nuclear weapon and noting that the next round of peace talks between the two countries may take place this weekend.

During a press availability at the White House, Trump also said that he is not sure whether a two-week ceasefire with Iran, which is set to expire next week, needs to be extended, warning that if no deal is reached, "fighting will resume."

"We're very close to making a deal. That'll be a great thing," Trump said.

He claimed that Iran has made an agreement not to pursue a nuclear weapon.

"Very important is that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, and they've agreed to that. Iran's agreed to that, and they've agreed to it very powerfully," he said.

"They've agreed to give us back the nuclear dust (which is) way underground because of the attack we made with the big two bombers," he added, referring to Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile that can be used to produce a bomb.

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