U.S.-Iran Negotiators Agree on Principles

U.S. and Iranian negotiators have agreed to broad principles of a deal that would include the disposal of highly enriched uranium, a senior Trump administration official told CBS News, as President Trump declared “time is on our side” and instructed representatives “not to rush into a deal.” The announcement marks a potential diplomatic breakthrough after weeks of military confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said on TruthSocial that negotiations are ongoing, following a Saturday call with Middle Eastern leaders in which he claimed a peace deal had been “largely negotiated” with final details still under discussion. Both Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated further details would be announced shortly. Earlier Saturday, Trump told CBS News negotiators were “getting a lot closer” to finalizing an agreement.
Sources told CBS News the latest proposal includes a process to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the unfreezing of some Iranian assets held in foreign banks, and a continuation of negotiations. However, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency said Saturday that even “in the event of a possible agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will still be under Iranian management” — signaling potential sticking points remain.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed Monday that Tehran and Washington had reached understandings on “a large portion of the issues under discussion,” but warned an agreement was not imminent. “To say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent — no one can make such a claim,” he said, accusing Washington of shifting its positions.
The diplomatic progress comes amid ongoing military tensions. Earlier this week, three U.S. Navy destroyers — USS Truxtun, USS Mason, and USS Rafael Peralta — repelled a heavy Iranian attack combining missiles, drones, and fast-attack boats while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. officials confirming no ships were damaged. A senior U.S. official also confirmed American strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Port and Bandar Abbas, while Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central HQ claimed significant damage was inflicted on American vessels in retaliation for alleged ceasefire violations.
Key Pakistani mediator involvement continues, with Pakistani TV reporting the country’s prime minister is in China alongside the official who has facilitated U.S.-Iran talks. Whether the broad principles translate into a signed agreement depends on resolving final details, including Hormuz management, asset unfreezing timelines, and verification mechanisms for uranium disposal — all while both nations maintain military postures in the contested waterway.