
US President Donald Trump has told Axios that US and Iranian negotiators may meet this weekend and that he expects to reach a final agreement to end the war.
"I believe a meeting will probably take place over the weekend. I think we will reach an agreement within a day or two," Trump said in a telephone interview, expressing optimism about the progress of the negotiations.
However, according to several US officials and sources cited by Axios, although significant progress has been made and the parties have come close to a three-page peace plan, disagreements on key issues still remain.
According to reports, one of the discussed elements of the agreement envisages the release of about $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for Iran giving up its enriched uranium reserves, as well as imposing a moratorium on uranium enrichment.
Trump has also stressed that the US will not lift the naval blockade on Iran before a deal is reached and has demanded that the Strait of Hormuz remain open to international shipping.
At the same time, Iran has announced the opening of the strait for the remaining period of the ceasefire, which ends on April 21, but the details of implementation still remain unclear.
Trump has stated that an eventual agreement would contribute to Israel's security and regional stability, adding that "Israel will come out great" at the end of the conflict, while also demanding a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Meanwhile, new military developments have been reported on the ground, including a drone attack in southern Lebanon, while within the Israeli government there are divisions over how to continue the conflict.