US envoy says meetings with Iran expected 'this week'

WASHINGTON

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Friday that meetings with Iran are expected “this week” and President Donald Trump wants a “peace deal” amid continued US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

“We think there will be meetings this week. We're certainly hopeful for it. Ships are passing. That's a very, very good sign, and I think the president wants a peace deal,” Witkoff said in his remarks at an investment forum in Miami.

“My definition of real negotiating would be right here, and we don't leave until we're done, and we've offered that,” he added.

Separately, Trump told reporters ahead of his trip to Miami on Friday that Iran is seeking talks.

“They are being decimated. They are talking, we are talking, now they want to make a deal,” he said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington expects to conclude its military campaign against Iran “in a matter of weeks, not months,” and the US can achieve its objectives without deploying troops on the ground.

The US and Israel have been carrying out airstrikes on Iran since Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage, while disrupting global markets and aviation.

At least 13 US service members have been killed since the war began, in a conflict that has driven up energy prices and affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.