Trump Says Iran Deal Close, Tehran Says No Agreement Imminent

Global energy markets and shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz remain at risk as the United States and Iran continue talks to end their war. A reopened waterway would ease pressure on oil prices that spiked after Iran blocked most traffic, yet both sides now describe any final accord as uncertain.

President Trump stated on social media that negotiators had largely completed a framework covering the strait’s reopening and limits on Iran’s nuclear activities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in New Delhi that a “pretty solid thing” sat on the table and that Washington would pursue alternatives if diplomacy failed. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei countered that conclusions had been reached on many issues but that no signing was imminent and that nuclear details remained outside current discussions.

The reported outline would give the parties 60 days to finalize terms. Iran would dispose of highly enriched uranium stockpiles estimated at 440 kilograms at 60 percent purity before the war and would allow the strait to reopen. The United States would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports and provide phased sanctions relief. Rubio and Trump both stressed that any accord must be “good” or there would be none.

Republican senators Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, and Roger Wicker publicly criticized the emerging terms, warning that a 60-day extension could leave Iran stronger. Trump dismissed the critics as “losers who know nothing.” Pakistani and Qatari officials continued shuttle diplomacy, while oil prices fell more than five dollars a barrel on Monday amid renewed hope of progress.

The war began February 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. A ceasefire took effect April 8, yet Iran has kept the strait closed to most traffic and the United States has maintained its blockade. No independent confirmation exists that Iran’s Supreme Leader has endorsed the current framework.