U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that it is "very possible" the United States would reach a peace deal with Iran before the UK's King Charles III visits the country in late April, according to an NBC report.
Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, are scheduled to visit the U.S. from April 27 to 30.
Axios reported on Wednesday that U.S. officials said their negotiating team made progress in talks with Iran on Tuesday and is gradually approaching a "framework agreement to end the war."
However, some U.S. officials acknowledged that significant differences still exist between the two sides, making the outcome uncertain.
At a press conference on the day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that discussion about potential face-to-face talks between the U.S. and Iran are ongoing, and the U.S. remains optimistic about the prospects for reaching a peace deal .
A two-week ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. took effect on April 8, followed by lengthy talks between the Iranian and U.S. delegations in Islamabad, Pakistan, which failed to lead to an agreement.
The current conflict began in late February, when Israel and the U.S. launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians.
Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East, while tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump says US, Iran nearing deal to end war
