US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said there have been "very good talks" with Iran over the past 24 hours, adding that it is "very possible that we will make a deal", as Tehran considers a US proposal that could formally end the conflict. Speaking at the White House, Trump signalled progress in negotiations, while reiterating that Iran must suspend its nuclear programme and reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. He warned that military action could resume if talks fail.
"Look, this is very simple. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon because as tough as they are, we want to keep them alive. We want to keep all of you alive," he told reporters.
In a separate interview withPBS,Trump said he was optimistic about reaching an agreement before a planned visit to China next week. "I think it's got a very good chance of ending, and if it doesn't end, we have to go back to bombing the hell out of them," he said.
However, Iran struck a more cautious tone. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described reports of an imminent deal as exaggerated, saying Tehran had not yet issued a formal response to the latest US proposal. He confirmed that diplomatic exchanges were continuing via Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator.
Sources cited byReuterssaid a one-page memorandum outlining a potential end to the war was close to agreement. The document would reportedly pave the way for restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, easing US sanctions on Iran, and setting limits on Tehran's nuclear programme. It remains unclear how this proposal differs from a 14-point plan previously put forward by Iran.
Iranian officials have expressed reservations. Lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei described the proposal as "more of an American wish list than a reality", adding that the US would gain nothing in war that it could not achieve through direct negotiations.
Meanwhile, the US has maintained pressure in the region. Themilitary saidit had disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly ignored warnings and violated a blockade on vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports.
US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Washington would not "normalise a country being able to determine who is allowed to use an international waterway", while stressing that the president continued to prefer a diplomatic outcome.
Benjamin Netanyahu said he planned to speak with Trump about the negotiations, adding that both leaders agreed Iran must not retain enriched uranium. Tehran has consistently rejected that demand, insisting its nuclear programme is not intended for weapons.
Trump had earlier announced a pause in a US naval operation designed to escort commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, citing "great progress" in talks following requests from Pakistan and other countries.
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