Trump Claims Peace Deal with Iran is Getting Closer, Will It Materialise?
US President Donald Trump has stated that the United States and Iran are “very close” to a peace agreement. Hikmahanto Juwana, Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia, discussed the prospects of this peace deal materialising.
“First, we cannot be too trusting of what Trump says. His statements often change,” Hikmahanto said when contacted on Saturday (18/4/2026).
Hikmahanto then addressed the development of nuclear weapons and uranium enrichment, which are Trump’s primary concerns. He noted that Iran, even before the war, would certainly be willing not to develop nuclear weapons and uranium enrichment.
“The issue remains what to do with the already enriched uranium. Russia is willing to accept Iran’s uranium. But Trump does not want Russia involved,” he said.
“So, it depends on what Trump wants. If an agreement can be reached between Trump and Iran, then the peace deal is indeed getting closer,” he added.
Another factor making the peace agreement more distant is sabotage from Israel. If Israel continues to attack Hezbollah, Iran will certainly react.
“If Israel then attacks Hezbollah, Houthi, or Hamas, it will not bring the deal closer. There will definitely be a reaction from Iran,” he said.
Previously, Trump stated that the United States and Iran are “very close” to a peace agreement. Trump also said he would consider going to Pakistan to sign the deal.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump added that Tehran has agreed to hand over its enriched uranium reserves, while both countries consider further talks in Islamabad, Pakistan.
“We are very close to reaching a deal with Iran,” Trump said, as reported by AFP and Al Arabiya on Friday (17/4/2026).
“We must ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons… They fully agree with that. They have agreed to almost everything, so perhaps if they sit at the negotiating table, there will be differences,” he added.
When asked if he might go to Pakistan to sign the deal, Trump said: “I might go, yes.” If the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go,” he stated.