The Trump administration and Iranian officials are hammering out the final details of a potential agreement to end the conflict, with negotiations ongoing in Qatar as U.S. military forces conduct defensive operations in the region.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a trip to India that talks are progressing, though disagreements remain over specific language in preliminary documents. “There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we’ll see if we can make progress,” Rubio said. “It’ll take a few days.”
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei acknowledged significant progress on multiple issues but cautioned against premature expectations. “It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,” Baqaei said at a weekly briefing, “but to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent-no one can make such a claim.”
Military Operations Continue
U.S. Central Command conducted what it described as “self-defense strikes” against Iranian targets in southern Iran on Monday, targeting missile launch sites and boats attempting to deploy naval mines. The operations occurred near the Iranian port and naval base at Bandar Abbas.
Captain Tim Hawkins, a Central Command spokesperson, stated that American military forces maintained restraint while protecting personnel from Iranian threats. “U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing cease-fire,” Hawkins said.
Nearly two dozen Navy warships, including two aircraft carriers, are enforcing a blockade against vessels in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. A senior U.S. military official said that Iranian surface-to-air missiles had threatened some of the dozens of American warplanes involved in operations.
Deal Parameters Take Shape
A top administration official revealed that Iran has agreed to eliminate highly enriched uranium as part of a potential agreement. Under the proposed terms, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its maritime blockade.
The official indicated that both sides broadly agree on foundational concepts and that the Trump administration views progress positively. “Most people agree on the basic ideas, and the Trump administration is pleased with how things are going,” the official said, though negotiations continue on enforcement mechanisms.
If Iran reduces nuclear enrichment levels, the United States has signaled willingness to ease economic sanctions. The administration official emphasized that enforcement terms matter more than the duration of any commitment, whether spanning 20 or 30 years.
Trump Administration Position
President Donald Trump has stated that any agreement reached would be “good and proper,” criticizing the Obama administration’s 2015 nuclear deal. Trump accused former President Barack Obama of providing Iran “massive amounts of CASH, and a clear and open path to a Nuclear Weapon.”
An administration official noted that Iran appears more receptive to negotiations following recent military operations. The official added that the proposed deal would likely extend further than the 2015 agreement, which permitted enrichment to specific thresholds.
This story has been updated. CNN’s staff contributed to this report.
