Iran live updates: US shoots down 2 Iranian drones attempting to strike ships in Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump said Thursday the U.S. and Iran are close to reaching a deal -- claims he has often repeated in the past.

Asked by ABC News' Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott why this time is different, Trump replied, "Because they've taken a pounding. They've taken a pounding like very few people could take. And they want to make the deal a lot more than I do. "

The president also said a deal with Iran could be signed as early as this weekend calling it a "very strong memorandum of understanding that is a little conceptual."

President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday about the memorandum of understanding being formed between the U.S. and Iran, acknowledging that Israel was not a party to it.

"Although Israel is not a party to the memorandum of understanding, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for President Trump's commitment that the final agreement at the end of the negotiations will include the removal of enriched material, dismantling of enrichment infrastructure, limiting missile production, and ending Iran's support for its terrorist proxies in the region," the prime minister's office said in a statement Thursday.

President Donald Trump and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a phone call on Thursday where they "reviewed the results of the consultations and understandings" between the U.S. and Iran.

The Qatari government said Trump "affirmed that the understandings reached had the approval of all concerned parties" while "efforts continue to complete the final procedures in preparation for announcing the arrangements for signing the agreement."

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was surprised by President Donald Trump's social media post about an imminent deal, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Israel was not looped into the approval process, according to the source.