WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said he believed a deal with Iran was “very possible” but warned that the United States could again carry out strikes if negotiations collapse.
Despite Trump’s optimistic tone, Iran has not yet responded to a new US proposal, while its chief negotiator warned that Washington was attempting to force the Western Asia nation’s “surrender.”
Signs of possible diplomatic movement emerged after Trump paused a short-lived military operation aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying the decision was linked to hopes for a potential agreement.
Trump said that if “Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to,” the conflict would end, but if not, bombing would resume “at a much higher level and intensity.”
“We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal,” Trump later told reporters.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the “US plan and proposal are still under review,” adding that Tehran would share its position with mediator Pakistan after finalising its stance.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Washington was attempting, through naval blockade, economic pressure and media influence, to weaken Iran’s internal cohesion and force surrender.
‘Durable peace’
The US military said one of its warplanes fired on and disabled the rudder of an oil tanker on Wednesday that attempted to break Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports.
Trump had earlier stated that the US blockade would remain in place as Tehran continued its own pressure on the Strait of Hormuz.
However, pointing to progress in talks, he said efforts to reopen the vital trade route would be paused temporarily to assess whether a final agreement could be reached.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who played a role in early talks in Islamabad last month, expressed optimism about a possible breakthrough.
“We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond,” he said in a post on X.
US news outlet Axios, citing two US officials, reported that both sides were close to finalising a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the conflict and establish a framework for detailed nuclear negotiations.
Speaking to PBS, Trump said Iran would hand over its enriched uranium to the United States, though he did not explain how the key point of contention would be resolved.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday, later stating that the talks reviewed ongoing negotiations.
He added on X that Iran looked forward to China supporting a new post-war regional framework aimed at balancing development and security.
Trump’s more conciliatory remarks came shortly after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington had completed its offensive operations against Iran.
The standoff in the strategic waterway had already led to mutual accusations of attacks earlier in the week, marking the sharpest escalation since a truce began on April 8.
Washington and Gulf partners have also drafted a UN Security Council resolution calling on Tehran to halt attacks, disclose mine locations and stop disrupting shipping routes, Rubio said, with a vote expected in the coming days.
Its adoption, however, remains uncertain.
Elite Hezbollah force
On the Lebanese front of the conflict, Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday — the first such attack in the area in nearly a month.
The strike killed a senior commander from Hezbollah’s elite unit, according to a source close to the Iran-backed group.
At least 11 other people were killed in strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited troops in southern Lebanon, vowing to “seize every opportunity to deepen the dismantling of Hezbollah.”