The Trump administration is working to finalize a diplomatic framework with Iran aimed at ending the conflict, with negotiations ongoing in Qatar as the U.S. military conducts what it calls defensive strikes in the Persian Gulf region.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration remains focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route disrupted during the crisis. Rubio declared during a visit to India that the waterway “has to be open” and called its closure “unlawful, illegal, unsustainable for the world, and unacceptable.”
What Happened
U.S. and Iranian representatives are engaged in discussions in Qatar, with negotiators working through the language of a preliminary agreement, according to Rubio. He said President Donald Trump’s position remains unchanged: the United States wants “a good deal or no deal,” while acknowledging that completing the final document could require additional time.
U.S. Central Command announced that American forces carried out what it described as “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran targeting missile facilities and Iranian vessels. Capt. Tim Hawkins said the operation was designed to protect American personnel and assets while maintaining the broader cease-fire framework.
U.S. military officials said aircraft and naval forces operating near the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea had faced threats from Iranian surface-to-air missile systems, with strikes occurring near the Iranian naval hub of Bandar Abbas.
Status of Negotiations
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran and Washington had reached areas of understanding on several issues but warned that a final agreement had not yet been achieved. He accused the United States of shifting its positions during the negotiations.
According to a senior U.S. administration official, negotiators have made progress on a proposed framework that would require Iran to eliminate its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and accept major limits on future uranium enrichment activities. In return, the United States would reportedly end its naval blockade and begin a phased reduction of economic sanctions.
Officials said major political issues have largely been resolved in principle, but technical details, verification procedures, and enforcement measures remain under discussion.
What This Means
If completed, the agreement would reportedly place stricter restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program than the 2015 accord, reflecting the Trump administration’s push for a broader and more enforceable settlement. Washington’s priority is securing a long-term and verifiable agreement that prevents Iran from exceeding agreed nuclear limits.
President Trump said any future agreement with Iran would be “good and proper,” while continuing to criticize the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated during the Obama administration. Trump argued that the previous agreement provided Iran with economic relief without creating a permanent guarantee that Tehran would not pursue nuclear weapons capability.
This story has been updated. CNN’s staff contributed to this report.
