On the 3rd (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump said that end-of-war negotiations with Iran are going well and that there is a possibility of agreeing to an end-of-war memorandum of understanding (MOU) as early as this weekend.

After completing the signing of an executive order at the White House that day, President Trump was asked by reporters, ‘Iran has attacked Kuwait; is the U.S.-Iran cease-fire agreement still in effect?’ He replied, “I have heard that the negotiations themselves are going very well.”

Regarding the outlook for an agreement, he said, “It may not happen, but if it does come together, it could happen as early as this weekend.” He also explained, “In theory, they are quite close to signing the documents.”

Regarding Iran’s attack on Kuwait, Trump said, “Everything happens for a reason,” and, “The United States also recently dealt significant military blows to Iran.” Instead of defining Iran’s attack on Kuwait as a breach of the cease-fire, he characterized it as a “counter-response.”

He added, “The cease-fire there is different from cease-fires in other parts of the world,” indicating that the cease-fire between the two countries remains in place.

On the 1st, U.S. forces struck facilities including radar on Qeshm Island, and on the 2nd they disabled an Iranian oil tanker with missiles. That day, Iran attacked Kuwait International Airport with drones, killing at least one person, injuring several others, and causing material damage.

As for the specific progress of the negotiations, President Trump reiterated his claim that Iran has agreed not to develop nuclear weapons or purchase them.

On the issue of handling Iran’s highly enriched uranium (HEU), he said that in the very near future “we will secure it.” Trump also said, “As of now, it has been agreed that we will go in with them (Iran), secure it, and destroy it.”

Trump also stated that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened immediately once an MOU to end the war with Iran is signed.

Regarding Israel’s continued attacks targeting Hezbollah, a pro-Iran armed faction in Lebanon, he answered, “We are trying to keep that issue separate (from the talks).” Trump said the United States communicated separately with Israel and with Hezbollah, and that both sides indicated they would refrain from further attacks.