President Trump indicated a deal is nearing completion and stated he would finalize a substantive agreement with Tehran or pursue no agreement at all, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted an arrangement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz might be revealed Monday, though Tehran confirmed alignment on numerous issues but said finalizing terms remains pending. The statement emphasized that immediate concessions on nuclear matters were not part of the proposal being considered, while noting that inconsistencies from one side had complicated negotiations as discussions continued.
A spokesperson from the Foreign Ministry indicated that discussions with Washington centre on bringing hostilities to a close, and that any economic restrictions should be lifted in the initial phase of an agreement. The agreement addresses navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and proposes an end to what Iran characterises as United States restrictions on its maritime operations, with Tehran indicating it would facilitate secure transit through the waterway once Washington ceases actions Iran describes as a naval blockade.
The president indicated his administration would pursue either a substantial agreement with Iran to conclude the conflict or pursue no agreement at all, responding to concerns that any accord might impose fewer constraints on Iran's nuclear activities than the 2015 agreement from the previous administration. On Monday, Trump indicated the deal would constitute a total reversal of what he termed the flawed JCPOA accord from the prior administration, which he said gave Iran an unobstructed route to acquiring nuclear arms.
According to official statements, the proposed agreement focuses on ending hostilities and gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with discussions about nuclear matters scheduled during a subsequent 60-day phase rather than requiring upfront changes to existing programs.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed Monday that discussions with Washington are ongoing, though certain unresolved matters persist amid shifting negotiating positions. Baqaei noted that diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict face challenges stemming from the administration's shifting positions and inconsistent statements, which he said are evident in social media posts from officials, complicating negotiations with such a counterpart and creating inherent difficulties. The spokesman noted that Tehran and Washington had developed understandings on numerous points in their exchanges concerning a settlement to end hostilities, though he cautioned that finalising an accord remained uncertain. Baqaei stated that no deadline has been established by Tehran for completing an agreement to conclude the conflict.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir travelled to Beijing for discussions with Chinese officials on Monday, following statements from China about contributing to Middle Eastern peace efforts, with Pakistan serving as an intermediary in US-Iran relations, according to broadcasts from the country's television networks. According to reports carried by Reuters, the meeting between Xi Jinping and Sharif took place on Monday, with details provided through official media outlets. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Tehran with Munir over the weekend as part of continued diplomatic initiatives aimed at bringing the conflict with Iran to a close.
On Monday, the Secretary of State indicated that an agreement to conclude hostilities with Iran might be reached imminently, noting that Israel retained its right to self-defence, and mentioned that a proposal concerning maritime passage through strategic waterways had garnered substantial regional backing. Rubio expressed confidence that Iran would participate in substantial, time-bound nuclear negotiations, noting that discussions with various nations confirmed the approach was both reasonable and appropriate, though he indicated the U.S. would pursue alternative measures if diplomatic efforts did not yield a satisfactory agreement. Rubio noted that diplomatic efforts would be fully pursued before consideration of other options.
The military's spokesperson in Arabic, Colonel Avichay Adraee, posted on social media listing the villages by name.
A senior administration official stated Sunday that Iran has accepted the framework for an agreement on highly enriched uranium removal, though negotiators are still working to finalize details. A final deal would feature Iran allowing passage through the Strait of Hormuz while Washington removes its barriers to the waterway, with both sides adjusting their positions on sanctions and uranium enrichment respectively. According to an official, consensus exists on core principles, and work to complete remaining details proceeds with the administration viewing developments optimistically. An official stated that Iran now shows greater readiness to negotiate compared to its position before the offensive.
According to officials, the government seeks a long-term pledge to abandon enrichment, with the enforcement approach being more important than whether the agreement lasts 20 or 30 years. A government representative stated that expectations point toward the agreement exceeding the scope of the 2015 accord on nuclear activities, which had permitted uranium processing within specified parameters. According to a statement from an official, any agreement would maintain the current government structure in Iran, with negotiations proceeding through established channels.
A spokesperson indicated that numerous entities are circulating documents and disseminating imprecise details, with different groups strategically releasing information to advance their positions or obstruct progress.
Negotiators have reached preliminary consensus on framework terms that would require Tehran to eliminate its stockpile of weapons-grade nuclear material, according to administration sources. Following a conversation with Middle Eastern leaders, the president indicated that an agreement with Iran has progressed substantially through discussions, though he directed negotiators to proceed deliberately, noting that conditions favor patience rather than urgency. The two officials stated that additional information would be provided in the near future.
According to reports on Saturday, the most recent offer encompassed measures to restore passage through the Strait of Hormuz, release certain frozen Iranian funds from overseas financial institutions, and maintain ongoing diplomatic discussions. Reports from a news agency indicated on Saturday that the waterway would remain under the nation's control regardless of any potential diplomatic settlement.
