Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly.
President Trump says the U.S. is closing in on a deal to end the war with Iran.
NPR's Jane Araf in Beirut reports on what the president
is saying about the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.
President Trump in a social media post on Sunday said, quote,
the blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified and signed.
The blockade he is referring to there is U.S. naval forces
and other U.S. military assets that are around the Strait of Hormuz.
Now, Iran has signaled it will reopen the strait to traffic, but only if and when those U.S. military forces withdraw.
Down the line, Iran is also indicating it will insist on retaining control of the waterway.
That's NPR's Jane Araf.
The U.S. blockade has been in place in the Middle East for more than a month.
President Trump is scheduled to visit Arlington National Cemetery on this Memorial Day.
The president will be taking part in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony before making remarks.
NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben takes a look at the president's approval ratings
amid the unresolved war with Iran and higher prices in the U.S. economy.
The president's approval rating has continued to fall and is currently in the high 30s, according to polling averages.
And as inflation picks up...
He has approval of only around 35 percent on the economy, according to RealClearPolling,
with the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index also hitting a record low.