President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran could resume as early as this weekend and indicated he is not certain the current temporary ceasefire will need to be extended, even as key issues between the sides remain unresolved.

“We’re very close to making a deal,” Trump said outside the White House, according to The Wall Street Journal, adding he was unsure the current two-week ceasefire would need to be prolonged.

According to Reuters, Trump also suggested that a meeting with Iranian representatives could take place in the coming days, pointing to what he described as growing momentum in the talks, even as discussions appear to be narrowing toward a more limited interim agreement.

Reuters reported that significant gaps remain between Washington and Tehran on major points, including the level of uranium enrichment Iran would be permitted, the duration of any restrictions, and the timing and extent of sanctions relief. Iran is said to be pushing for faster and broader easing, while the U.S. is seeking longer-lasting constraints.

Further reporting from Reuters indicated that proposals under consideration include limits on Iran’s nuclear program and options for removing, exporting, or diluting highly enriched uranium. However, disagreements continue over how any agreement would be verified and whether it would eliminate Iran’s capabilities or simply place caps on them.

The New York Times similarly reported that U.S. officials are advocating for a longer freeze on enrichment and tighter oversight, while Iranian negotiators have pushed back, arguing that such measures would harm their civilian nuclear efforts, leaving a wide divide between the sides.

At the same time, Reuters and other outlets noted that the lack of consensus has led negotiators to shift focus toward a temporary arrangement rather than a comprehensive deal.

The uncertainty has fueled questions about whether the ceasefire—originally intended to create room for diplomacy—will need to be extended.

The Associated Press reported that the fragile ceasefire has already come under strain due to continued military pressure, including an expanded U.S. blockade, raising concerns about its durability without further agreements.

Other reports have pointed to ongoing behind-the-scenes efforts to keep negotiations alive.

Time reported that officials are considering additional rounds of talks after earlier meetings failed to yield a breakthrough, with diplomats acknowledging privately that major issues remain unsettled.

Regional reporting has also underscored the lack of progress, with The Jerusalem Post noting that no agreement has yet been reached on extending the ceasefire despite intensified backchannel discussions.

Despite these challenges, Trump has publicly expressed confidence, suggesting that a deal could be reached quickly if talks resume in the coming days.

Earlier Thursday, Trump also announced a separate 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and invited Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House for further discussions, according to Reuters and other outlets.

He said Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been tasked with advancing a broader agreement.

These diplomatic efforts have coincided with increased military pressure.

At a Pentagon briefing, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said the U.S. had widened its blockade to target “all ships, regardless of nationality,” while War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation would continue for as long as necessary.