#美伊局势和谈与增兵博弈 Currently, what are the latest news about the Middle East situation? Let's take a look.

1. Trump: US and Iran may reach an agreement "within the next one or two days"
Xinhua News Agency reports that U.S. President Trump said in a phone interview with Axios News website on the 17th that Iran wants to meet and they want to reach an agreement. "I think a meeting is very likely to take place this weekend. I think we will reach an agreement within the next one or two days." Trump stated that before reaching an agreement, he will not lift the maritime blockade imposed on Iran, hoping the Strait of Hormuz can be open to all countries. On the same day, Trump also said in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 TV that he expects the U.S. and Iran to reach an end to the war agreement "within the next one or two days."

2. Trump posts multiple times: US will continue maritime blockade of Iran
Xinhua News Agency reports that after Iran announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz on the 17th, U.S. President Trump posted multiple messages on social media, "thanking" Iran for opening the "Iran Strait," while stating that the U.S. will continue to impose a maritime blockade on Iran. In his initial post, Trump said, "Iran just announced that the 'Iran Strait' is fully open and passable. Thank you!" But he quickly posted again, saying, "The maritime blockade against Iran will remain in effect until we complete 100% of our negotiations with Iran. Since most of the details have already been negotiated, this process should be completed very soon."
In subsequent posts, Trump said Iran has agreed not to close the Strait of Hormuz anymore, and with U.S. assistance, all mines have been or are being cleared. He also said the U.S. will obtain all of Iran's nuclear "dust," and will not pay any money in any way or form. Several Western media interpret Trump's mention of nuclear "dust" as referring to Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.
He also stated that this agreement has nothing to do with Lebanon, and said, "The U.S. will work alone with Lebanon and handle the Lebanon Hezbollah situation appropriately. Israel will no longer bomb Lebanon. The U.S. has prohibited Israel from doing so."

3. Iranian senior official: Iran and U.S. expected to reach a preliminary agreement within days
According to CCTV, on the 17th local time, an Iranian senior official said that Iran and the U.S. are expected to reach a preliminary agreement within the next few days, possibly extending the current ceasefire arrangement. The official said such a preliminary agreement could create space for lifting U.S. sanctions on Iran and initiating war reparations negotiations. He also pointed out that significant disagreements still exist between Iran and the U.S., including nuclear issues, which still need to be resolved through serious and in-depth negotiations.

4. U.S. media: Next round of US-Iran talks may resume as early as the 20th
According to Xinhua, citing CBS on the 17th, the next face-to-face negotiations between the U.S. and Iran may resume as early as the 20th. The report, citing multiple informed sources, said the Trump administration is considering sending senior officials back to Pakistan within a few days to resume negotiations with Iran, hoping to reach a long-term peace agreement. Vice President Vance is very likely to participate again in the next round of talks, with Special Envoy Wittkof possibly accompanying.
The report said that as of the morning of the 17th Eastern Time, the specific date for the next U.S.-Iran negotiations had not been finalized, but it could be held as early as the 20th. This highlights the high uncertainty in U.S.-Iran negotiations.

5. Iranian official: Iran and U.S. drafting Memorandum of Understanding to set framework for permanent peace agreement
According to CCTV, on the 17th local time, an Iranian official said that Iran and the U.S. are drafting a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the overall framework for a final permanent peace agreement. The official expressed optimism about signing the memorandum during the negotiations in Pakistan in the coming days. He also said the memorandum sets a 60-day window for follow-up negotiations to push for a final agreement.

6. U.S. Central Command: U.S. military still "closely monitoring every port in Iran"
According to CCTV, on April 17th local time, U.S. Central Command Commander Brad Cooper stated that the U.S. military's maritime blockade actions related to Iranian-associated ships will continue until President Trump "orders their解除." Cooper told reporters in a phone interview that the U.S. military is closely monitoring every port in Iran, using MQ-9 drones and P-8 maritime patrol aircraft for aerial reconnaissance. Cooper said, "We are monitoring every ship in every port. No exceptions." He also added that the U.S. military's presence in the region can be maintained indefinitely, stating, "As long as necessary, we can sustain this situation."