Trump Says US-Iran Deal May Be Signed Within 48 Hours, US Troops to Remain in Gulf

President Donald Trump said a deal between the US and Iran may be signed within the next 48 hours.

Walter Bloomberg reported on June 17 that Trump said “a deal with Iran will be signed within the next 48 hours.”

Trump also said US forces will remain in the Gulf for the time being, indicating that Washington plans to maintain its current military posture.

On Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile, he said it would be “a little unfair” to prevent only Iran from having any ballistic missiles while other countries possess them.

Trump also commented on the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, saying the US could perform better without the USMCA.

The US and Iran have recently been pursuing a memorandum of understanding. After it is signed, the two sides are set to begin about 60 days of negotiations on a final agreement covering Iran’s nuclear program and US sanctions on Tehran.

Trump’s remarks bolstered market expectations for easing tensions in the Middle East. But with Washington also signaling it will keep military forces in place, the course of the follow-on negotiations is likely to be the key variable.