The Trump administration is finalizing negotiations with Iran on a potential agreement to end the regional conflict, with talks progressing in Qatar as military tensions persist.
Top U.S. officials including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been engaged in intensive discussions to reach a settlement. Iranian officials gathered in Qatar this week to continue negotiations on the proposed agreement.
Negotiations Progress With Caveats
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said negotiators have reached conclusions on many issues under discussion. “It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,” Baqaei said during a weekly briefing.
However, Baqaei cautioned that a final agreement remains distant, noting that Washington has shifted positions during talks. “To say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent-no one can make such a claim,” he said.
Rubio indicated the administration’s conditional approach to any deal. “He’s either going to make a good deal or no deal,” Rubio said, while Trump emphasized his commitment to strong terms during a trip to India.
Military Operations Continue
U.S. Central Command conducted defensive strikes in southern Iran on Monday targeting missile launch sites and Iranian vessels attempting to deploy mines. “U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing cease-fire,” said Captain Tim Hawkins, a Central Command spokesperson.
The strikes near the Iranian port and naval base at Bandar Abbas occurred as Iranian officials were meeting with American counterparts in Qatar. A senior military official said American warships and warplanes had been threatened by Iranian surface-to-air missiles.
Key Sticking Points and Terms
A top administration official said Iran has agreed to eliminate highly enriched uranium as part of any final deal. The proposed agreement would also require Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its blockade.
U.S. negotiators are prioritizing verification mechanisms for nuclear commitments, with officials emphasizing that enforcement matters more than the duration of restrictions. The Trump administration believes its potential agreement would surpass the scope of the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under President Barack Obama.
Trump criticized the previous agreement, claiming the Obama administration gave Iran “massive amounts of CASH, and a clear and open path to a Nuclear Weapon.”
Administration Assessment
According to administration officials, Iran appears more willing to negotiate following recent military operations. The Trump team expressed satisfaction with negotiation progress despite ongoing work on final details.
Officials said most parties agree on basic framework principles, though specific enforcement mechanisms remain under discussion.
This story has been updated. CNN’s National Security team contributed to this report.
