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  "path": "/partner/trump-very-optimistic-on-iran-deal-signals-israel-scaling-back-lebanon-strikes",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-09T18:07:14.000Z",
  "site": "https://nukta.com",
  "tags": [
    "Pakistan led"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nU.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he is “very optimistic” about reaching a peace deal with Iran following a recent ceasefire, adding that Israel is “scaling back” its strikes in Lebanon.\n\nSpeaking to _NBC News_ in a telephone interview, Trump said Iran’s leadership appeared more flexible behind closed doors but warned of consequences if talks fail.\n\n“Iran's leaders were much more reasonable in private,” Trump said, adding, “if they don't make a deal, it's going to be very painful.”\n\nVice President JD Vance is due to hold talks with Iran in Pakistan on Saturday as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.\n\nTrump also said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed during a call on Wednesday to “low-key it” in Lebanon following devastating strikes earlier that day.\n\nThe remarks come days after Pakistan led an urgent diplomatic push that resulted in a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The agreement, endorsed by Tehran and acknowledged by Washington, has opened the door for further negotiations.\n\nHowever, fresh Israeli strikes on Lebanon have raised doubts about whether the ceasefire can hold, as tensions persist across multiple fronts in the region.\n\nNetanyahu has said Israel will continue its operations in Lebanon, signaling no immediate pause despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.\n\nInternational affairs experts have described Israel’s strikes as a “spoiler” to the ceasefire process, suggesting Israel may not favor a halt in conflict with Iran or a return to broader regional stability.\n\nMeanwhile, the White House said Trump is sending Vance and senior negotiators – including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner – to Pakistan for talks with Iran beginning Saturday.\n\nWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the discussions in Islamabad will focus on implementing ceasefire terms, restoring freedom of navigation in the Gulf, and exploring a broader framework to prevent renewed fighting. Officials have not disclosed the expected duration of the negotiations.",
  "title": "Trump ‘very optimistic’ on Iran deal, signals Israel scaling back Lebanon strikes"
}