United States President Donald Trump stated that any deal with Iran would either be 'meaningful' or there would be 'no deal.' This statement was made on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday, following claims that an agreement with Tehran had been 'largely negotiated' to end the ongoing conflict.
Since April 8, a ceasefire has been in place between Washington and Tehran as mediators work towards a negotiated settlement. However, Iran has continued to block the Strait of Hormuz for most shipping, while the US maintains a blockade of Iranian ports.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicated that Iran and the US have reached a conclusion on many discussion topics but cautioned that this does not imply an imminent agreement. He noted that the current discussions do not include the nuclear issue, focusing instead on ending the war that began on February 28. Baghaei also mentioned that there are 'no guarantees' the US would honor any commitments made in a potential deal.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented that the US will either secure a strong agreement with Iran or confront the country in another manner. He expressed cautious optimism about potential developments.
Trump reiterated that the US blockade would remain in effect until an agreement is reached, stating that both sides must take their time to ensure a proper deal.
As diplomatic efforts continue, officials from Pakistan are in China for discussions aimed at restoring peace in the Middle East. Pakistan's military chief and Prime Minister are engaged in talks with Chinese leaders.
A senior official from the Trump administration indicated that Iran had agreed 'in principle' to dispose of its highly enriched uranium and open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of the US naval blockade. However, there was no immediate confirmation from Iran regarding this agreement.
Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a deal being reached soon, highlighting the inconsistent nature of negotiations between the US and Iran.
