Trump: Next 48 hours to determine outcome of Iran talks

U.S. President Donald Trump said the next 48 hours would determine the fate of negotiations with Iran, warning that Tehran would face severe military action if it abandoned the talks or refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters before departing for Las Vegas, Nevada, on the night of August 4, Trump said negotiations with Iran were "moving along very nicely" and indicated more clarity would come within two days, foreign media reports. 

Asked about the status of the talks, Trump replied: "We'll know in 48 hours."

Trump, who had previously said the Strait of Hormuz should have reopened by August 4, reiterated his warning.

"The strait is going to be open very soon, or they are going to get hit very hard and the strait is going to be open," he said.

He also warned that if Iran withdrew from the negotiations, whose existence Tehran denies, "they are going to get hit very hard, and they understand."

Responding to a question about an Axios report that the United States hopes to announce an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz on August 5, Trump said such an announcement "could happen."

"Could happen. Tomorrow or the next day. A lot of progress has been made," he said.

Earlier, Axios reported that the United States, Iran and Oman are close to reaching an interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing two regional sources and a U.S. official. 

According to two regional sources cited by Axios, the agreement under discussion would establish a 60-day temporary arrangement between Oman and Iran governing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with the possibility of an extension. Under the proposal, inbound ships entering the Gulf would transit through a northern lane in Iranian waters, while outbound traffic heading to the Arabian Sea would use a southern lane in Omani waters in coordination with Iran.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said progress had been made in discussions with Iran and Oman on increasing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, but stressed that no final agreement had yet been reached.

By Sabina Mammadli