US President Donald Trump has said a deal with Iran remains “very possible”, even as Tehran signalled caution, insisting that any diplomatic path to end the war with the United States and Israel must safeguard the Iranian nation’s rights.
The remarks come at a delicate moment in the West Asia crisis, with reports suggesting that Washington and Tehran may be moving towards a preliminary framework, while Iranian media and officials push back against claims that a near-final agreement is already in place.
Speaking at the Oval Office during an event previewing UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, Trump said recent discussions with Iran had been positive.
“They want to make a deal badly, and we’ll see if we get there. If we get there, they can’t have nuclear weapons,” Trump said, according to ANI.
He added, “We’ve had very good talks over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal.”
Trump, however, mixed his diplomatic messaging with strong claims about US military gains against Iran. He said Iran’s navy, air force, radar systems and missiles had been severely hit, adding, “So I think we won.”
Iran says it is still reviewing the US proposal
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, said Tehran was ready to pursue diplomacy to end the war, but only if Iran’s rights were protected.
According to IANS, Pezeshkian also expressed deep distrust of the United States and referred to two attacks on Iran during bilateral talks as “stabbing Iran in the back”.
Iranian officials have also denied that any fresh written messages have been exchanged with Washington. The semi-official Fars news agency called recent reports “fabricated” and said they were aimed at influencing global markets and driving down oil prices.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was still reviewing the latest US proposal and would respond after completing its assessment.
Reported deal may include nuclear pause, sanctions relief
The diplomatic churn follows reports that the two sides are discussing a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding to end hostilities and open a 30-day window for wider nuclear talks.
According to ANI, citing Axios, the proposed framework may include a short-term pause in Iran’s nuclear enrichment. In return, the US would begin lifting sanctions and unfreezing billions of dollars in Iranian assets. Both sides may also ease restrictions on movement through the Strait of Hormuz.
CNN reported that Iran is expected to convey its response to the US proposal through mediators on Thursday.
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on February 28. A ceasefire came into effect on April 8 after 40 days of fighting. Talks between the US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 ended without an agreement.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation has said it is ready to provide maritime, technical and medical support to commercial vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters. The announcement came after Trump said “Project Freedom”, a US-backed effort linked to vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz, would be paused temporarily while the naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in force.