WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran wants to make a deal to end the maximum pressure campaign, stating that an agreement "could happen" as oil prices plummeted nearly $10 per barrel.
Trump's remarks came after Tehran revealed indirect negotiations with Washington and offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under strict conditions. The comments underscore a potential de-escalation in tensions that have roiled global markets for months.
"Oil Prices are DROPPING LIKE A ROCK, down almost $10 a Barrel, A RECORD, because people feel that there will not be a War with Iran. Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible. It could happen!" Trump posted on his social media platform.
US Vice President JD Vance separately told reporters he and the president are optimistic about securing a negotiated settlement. Vance confirmed he sent a letter last week to Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei, which the White House described as focusing on assisting Iran with medical supplies.
"I actually just spoke with the president of the United States about an hour ago about this. Look, the president and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement," Vance said.
The developments come as the region remains on edge about the prospects of the US resuming full-scale operations against Iran. The backchannel efforts are playing out as Israel and some Middle East allies lobby Trump on the way ahead in the 8-month-old conflict that has rattled global markets and wreaked havoc on Iran.
No formal agreement has been announced, but the signals suggest continued diplomatic engagement may be underway as both the president and vice president express confidence about potential outcomes.
