President Donald Trump and senior members of his administration are reportedly working to finalize the framework of a possible agreement aimed at bringing an end to the conflict with Iran. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other top officials have been involved in ongoing discussions as negotiations continue.
Speaking during a visit to India, Rubio emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, calling any disruption to the critical shipping route “unlawful,” “illegal,” and unacceptable for the global economy. He noted that talks were taking place in Qatar and said negotiators were still working through the specific wording of an initial agreement.
Rubio added that President Trump is determined to secure what he described as a strong agreement, saying the administration would either reach “a good deal or no deal.” Officials indicated it could take several more days before negotiations reach a conclusion.
Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command confirmed that American forces carried out what it described as self-defense strikes in southern Iran after identifying threats against U.S. personnel. According to military officials, the strikes targeted missile launch sites and Iranian vessels allegedly attempting to deploy naval mines near Bandar Abbas.
A senior U.S. military official said some American aircraft and naval forces operating in the Gulf region had faced threats from Iranian surface-to-air missile systems. Despite the military action, U.S. officials stressed they remain committed to exercising restraint while maintaining the cease-fire.
Negotiations continued in Qatar even as the strikes occurred. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei acknowledged that both sides had made progress on many issues but cautioned that a final agreement was not yet within reach. He also accused Washington of changing its negotiating positions during the talks.
President Trump said any agreement with Iran would be significantly stronger than the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated during the Obama administration. He criticized that agreement, claiming it provided Iran with financial benefits while failing to permanently prevent its nuclear ambitions.
According to a senior administration official, Iran has shown greater willingness to negotiate following recent military operations. The proposed agreement would reportedly require Iran to eliminate its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and commit to strict limits on future uranium enrichment. In return, the United States would consider lifting sanctions and ending its blockade of the strategic waterway.
Officials said negotiations remain focused on enforcement measures and long-term guarantees that Iran will not resume high-level uranium enrichment. While significant progress has reportedly been made, both sides continue working through the remaining details before any final agreement can be announced.
