The Trump administration is pursuing a deal with Iran involving the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and potential sanctions relief, as negotiations continue in Qatar and American military forces maintain a blockade in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.
Discussions between American and Iranian officials are underway in Qatar as the Trump administration seeks an agreement to resolve the ongoing conflict. The negotiations involve multiple parties and span several key issues, with officials indicating that substantial progress has been made on core topics even as final terms remain under discussion.
“The straits have to be open, they’re going to be open,” Trump said during a trip to India. “What’s happening there is unlawful, it’s illegal, it’s unsustainable for the world, it’s unacceptable.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided an update on the negotiation timeline. “There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we’ll see if we can make progress,” Rubio said. “I think it’s a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document, so it’ll take a few days. The president expressed his desire to make it. He’s either going to make a good deal or no deal,” Rubio added.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei acknowledged progress while cautioning against expectations of an imminent agreement. “It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,” Baqaei said during a weekly news briefing. “But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent—no one can make such a claim,” he said, accusing Washington of shifting its positions.
Some of the dozens of American warplanes and nearly two dozen Navy warships, including two aircraft carriers and their escort ships enforcing a blockade against vessels trying to enter or leave Iranian ports in or around the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, were threatened by Iranian surface-to-air missiles, a senior U.S. military official said. American and Iranian forces have clashed in other ways since a cease-fire took effect approximately six weeks ago.
The strikes on Monday occurred as Iranian officials gathered in Qatar for negotiations on ending the war. Iran said Monday that Tehran and Washington have struck understandings on many subjects in negotiations over a deal for ending the war, but warned that a final deal is not imminent.
In a final deal, Iran would have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its blockade of the waterway. If Iran agrees to lessen its nuclear enrichment, the U.S. would also be willing to ease sanctions. The source said that most people agree on the basic ideas, and the Trump administration is pleased with how things are going, even though they are still working on finishing up the specifics.
The official said that Iran seems more open to making deals now than it did before the military operation. Negotiations are expected to continue over the coming days as both sides work through remaining language and specific terms in the proposed agreement.
