Trump Says Iran Deal Close, Tehran Says No Agreement Imminent

Iran's foreign ministry on Monday confirmed that talks with the United States have advanced on several fronts but stressed that any agreement to end the current conflict remains far from signed. Spokesman Esmail Baqai told reporters in Tehran that a large portion of issues under discussion have reached conclusions, yet he rejected claims that a final memorandum was imminent.

The remarks followed comments from President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggesting momentum toward an understanding. Rubio, speaking during a visit to New Delhi, said a solid framework sat on the table involving a 60-day extension of the existing ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz to broader shipping, and additional rounds of talks focused on Iran's nuclear activities. He added that Washington would pursue diplomacy fully before considering other options, while noting it takes time to receive responses from the Iranian side. Trump posted that negotiators had been told explicitly not to rush and that any outcome must be strong or there would be none at all.

The proposed terms would leave major questions for later stages, including the scale and timing of sanctions relief along with the handling of frozen Iranian assets. US officials have maintained that the blockade on Iranian ports stays in place until any agreement receives full certification. Shipping data shows some vessels, including a liquefied natural gas tanker heading toward Pakistan, have begun limited movements, though broader access through the strait remains restricted.

Republican lawmakers including Senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham have voiced sharp opposition, describing the outline as a potential disaster that could strengthen Tehran without resolving core threats. Trump responded directly on social media, calling critics losers who know nothing about the details and contrasting the emerging terms with the 2015 nuclear arrangement under Barack Obama that he withdrew from years ago. He insisted the current approach would avoid handing over cash or opening pathways to advanced weapons capabilities.

Communication challenges appear to be slowing the process further. US intelligence assessments indicate Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, injured during an early Israeli strike in the conflict, remains in an undisclosed location, complicating direct exchanges with negotiators. The war, now in its 87th day, began with US and Israeli operations on February 28 and has featured a ceasefire since April 8.

Iranian state media reported an execution tied to recent domestic protests and noted continued restrictions on most shipping through the strait despite the ceasefire. American energy exports have reached record levels in recent months as alternative routes and suppliers have adjusted to the disruptions. Rubio emphasized that both sides must get any agreement right rather than forcing timelines that leave critical gaps unresolved.