WASHINGTON — Senior Trump administration officials are working through the final details of a potential agreement to end the ongoing conflict with Iran, even as U.S. forces conducted limited strikes and diplomatic negotiations advanced in Qatar.
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top officials have been refining the terms of a possible deal. Rubio, speaking during a trip to India, reiterated the administration’s firm position on the Strait of Hormuz. “The straits have to be open, they’re going to be open,” he said. “What’s happening there is unlawful, it’s illegal, it’s unsustainable for the world, it’s unacceptable.”
Rubio noted that talks were underway in Qatar and that progress remained possible. “There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we’ll see if we can make progress,” he 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.”
On Monday, U.S. Central Command announced “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran aimed at protecting American forces from threats posed by Iranian forces. Capt. Tim Hawkins, a Central Command spokesperson, said the targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to place mines. “U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing cease-fire,” Hawkins said. He declined to identify specific ships that came under fire or the precise locations of the strikes.
A senior U.S. military official said some of the dozens of American warplanes and nearly two dozen Navy warships — including two aircraft carriers and their escorts enforcing a blockade near the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea — faced threats from Iranian surface-to-air missiles. The strikes occurred near the Iranian port and navy base at Bandar Abbas. American and Iranian forces have engaged in other limited clashes since a cease-fire took hold roughly six weeks ago. The Monday action came as Iranian officials gathered in Qatar for negotiations.
Iran acknowledged progress but cautioned against expectations of an imminent agreement. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran and Washington had reached understandings on many issues. “It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,” he told reporters. “But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent—no one can make such a claim.” Baqaei accused Washington of shifting its positions during the talks.
Trump has said any deal with Iran would be “good and proper,” while criticizing the Obama administration’s 2015 nuclear agreement for what he described as providing Iran with “massive amounts of CASH, and a clear and open path to a Nuclear Weapon.”
A top administration official said Sunday that Iran had agreed in principle to a deal that would require the elimination of highly enriched uranium. Work continues on finalizing the terms. Under the emerging framework, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its blockade of the waterway. Reduced nuclear enrichment would also open the door to eased U.S. sanctions.
The official said most parties agree on the core concepts and that the administration is encouraged by the trajectory, even as specific language remains under negotiation. Iran appears more receptive to a deal than it was before the military operation, the official added. The U.S. side is seeking a strong, enforceable commitment against enrichment, whether the duration is 20 or 30 years. Officials indicated the emerging agreement would go further than the 2015 deal, which permitted limited enrichment under certain conditions.
Talks continue as both sides weigh the balance between military pressure and diplomatic openings.
