After ‘very good discussions,’ Trump says Iran deal could be announced Wednesday or Thursday

U.S. President Donald Trump said American delegates reportedly held "very good discussions" with Iran during all-day negotiations on Tuesday, but warned Iran that it would face severe consequences if it backed away from a potential deal. 

Speaking to Fox News’ Trace Gallagher, President Trump reiterated his claim that Iran “will never have a nuclear weapon.” 

“If you look at what’s happening, Iran, as an example, will never have a nuclear weapon. They already can’t, but it’s going to be formal. The strait’s going to be open very soon, or they’re going to get hit very hard, and then the Strait's going to be open,” Trump said. 

He repeated earlier statements this week regarding a planned large-scale attack on Iran. 

“We were going to a tremendous attack, the biggest since World War II, and they called me and said very politely, please, can we talk, can we talk?” Trump said. 

“If they back out again, are they done?” Gallagher asked? The president responded, “Well, if they back out again, they're going to get hit really hard. You know, they know that. They understand that. I have no choice. They can't have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple.” 

Trump also said his administration still has time to reach an agreement with the Iranian regime. 

Asked when he would say, “Enough!” Trump responded, “Well, I have plenty of time.” 

Q: At what point do you say enough? And there's no coming back for Iran?

Trump: I have plenty of time. pic.twitter.com/URuB8Kodjs

— Acyn (@Acyn) August 5, 2026

Trump then repeated his threat: “The hard hit is yet to come. And hopefully we won't have to use it. I hope we won’t have to. We're having very good discussions.” 

Trump also rejected Iran’s claims that no discussions are taking place between the two governments.

“They don't like to admit that. But it's a little bit disconcerting. You tell people like you, we're having wonderful discussions. And then some guy will come out of Iran and say, ‘We have not met. We have not.’ It's just such a lie.” 

Trump on Iran: We're having very good discussions. They don't like to admit that, but you know it's a little bit disconcerting. You tell people we’re having wonderful discussions and then some guy will come out of Iran and say-- we have not met. It’s a lie. They want to make a… pic.twitter.com/t7gMayCUsq

— Acyn (@Acyn) August 5, 2026

Trump indicated that he is ready to use force if Iranian leaders don’t sign an agreement. 

“The only thing that matters is action. And they want to make a deal. We'll see what happens. If they don't make a deal, it's going to be too bad,” he added. 

While the Iranian regime has not acknowledged negotiations with the United States, discussions with neighboring Oman regarding transit through the Strait of Hormuz are showing signs of progress, according to Axios News.

The U.S. and Iran are nearing an interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of a broader arrangement involving Oman, according to Axios, which reported that Washington was seeking an announcement as early as Wednesday.

Before leaving California on Tuesday evening, Trump told reporters that an agreement to reopen the Straight of Hormuz could come within 48 hours. 

“It could happen. Tomorrow or the next day,” he said. 

It remains unclear whether the agreement is connected to the ongoing negotiations between the two countries. In those talks, Iran has reportedly demanded control over traffic entering the Hormuz through a northern lane established by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), while departing vessels would use a southern lane controlled by Oman.

The agreement would reportedly include a 60-day period during which no tolls or fees would be charged. However, regional officials said the agreement could include “service fees” for use of the strait. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran has not given up its demand for full control over shipping entering the Persian Gulf and visibility over outbound traffic. 

If Oman and Iran reach an agreement, the clearing of naval mines from the central lane – previously the most-used route for tankers and commercial vessels – would begin within 30 days of the agreement being signed.

The mines were placed by IRGC forces after the start of the U.S.-Israeli military operations on Feb. 28, 2026. 

Progress has been made on a deal, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Tuesday, while saying there is still some work to be done. 

“There’s been progress made in those talks, but no finality yet. We’re hoping that will happen very shortly,” Rubio told reporters at the State Department.

He said the agreement under discussion only concerns the Hormuz. Additional negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program will follow after the strait is reopened, Rubio said.