Ongoing Trump–Iran Talks See Reported Progress

The United States and Iran have reported progress in ongoing negotiations, raising cautious optimism ahead of the potential expiry of a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East conflict.

Donald Trump said there had been “very good conversations” with Iran, although he warned against what he described as “blackmail” over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s top negotiator also confirmed that recent discussions with the United States had made progress but acknowledged that significant gaps remain—particularly on nuclear issues and the status of the vital shipping channel.
 
Neither side disclosed detailed outcomes from the negotiations, which come just days before a fragile ceasefire in the US-Israeli war against Iran is set to expire.

The conflict, now in its eighth week, has reportedly killed thousands and expanded beyond Iran, including Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
 
The war has also rattled global energy markets, with oil prices surging due to the effective disruption of the Strait of Hormuz—a route that previously handled about one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments.
 
"We have ​had progress but there is still a big distance between us," Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, told state media, referring to talks last weekend. "There ​are some issues on which we insist ... They also have red lines. But these issues could be just one or two."
 
Trump ⁠said the US was having "very good conversations" but gave no other details.
 
Tehran reversed course on Saturday to reassert control over the strait, again closing the energy choke point ​and adding fresh uncertainty to the war, which the US and Israel launched on February 28.

Iran said it was responding to a continued US blockade of Iranian ports, ​calling it a violation of the ceasefire, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran's navy was ready to inflict "new bitter defeats" on its enemies. Trump called the move "blackmail" even as he praised the talks.
 
On Friday, Iran had announced the temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following a separate US-brokered 10-day ceasefire agreement on Thursday between Israel and Lebanon.
 
Trump defended the US blockade and ​threatened "to start dropping bombs again" unless the countries reached a long-term deal before the ceasefire expires on Wednesday.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council said Tehran's control over the strait ​included demanding the payment of costs related to security, safety and environmental protection services, state media said.