The Trump administration is in final negotiations with Iran over a potential nuclear agreement that would require Tehran to halt uranium enrichment and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that talks are progressing in Qatar, with officials working through specific language in the initial document. The negotiations come as American and Iranian military forces have engaged in multiple confrontations despite a ceasefire that began six weeks ago.
What the Deal Would Include
Iran would commit to eliminating highly enriched uranium and reopening the Strait of Hormuz under the proposed agreement. In exchange, the United States would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports and ease economic sanctions.
A senior Trump administration official said Monday that enforcement mechanisms are a key focus for American negotiators. “It doesn’t matter if the promise is for 20 or 30 years; what matters is how it will be enforced,” the official said, noting that Iran appears more willing to negotiate following recent military operations.
President Donald Trump stated that any agreement would be a “good and proper one,” contrasting his approach with the Obama administration’s 2015 nuclear deal. The Trump administration believes a new agreement would impose stricter limitations on enrichment than the previous accord.
Recent Military Tensions
U.S. Central Command conducted what it described as “self-defense strikes” against Iranian targets in southern Iran on Monday to protect American forces. The strikes targeted missile launch sites and Iranian vessels attempting to place naval mines in regional waters.
“U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing cease-fire,” said Captain Tim Hawkins, a Central Command spokesperson. The operation involved dozens of American warplanes and nearly two dozen Navy warships, including two aircraft carriers.
Iran’s Position
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said both sides have reached agreement on many issues but cautioned that a final deal remains distant. “It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,” Baqaei said, adding that Washington has shifted positions during talks.
Rubio stated that negotiations would require several more days to complete. “There’s a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document,” he said during a visit to India.
This story has been updated. CNN’s diplomatic and defense correspondents contributed to this report.