Iran has received U.S. negotiation points through mediators, a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official confirmed, as President Trump claimed the two nations are close to a deal.
Trump said Monday the sides have agreed on about 15 points and that Iranian officials “want peace.” He predicted “a very good chance we’re going to end up in a deal” to resolve hostilities.
He also paused his ultimatum to bomb Iran’s power plants if it didn’t reopen the Strait of Hormuz, giving diplomacy five days to succeed.
Markets reacted swiftly: Brent Crude dropped 10%, and the S&P 500 rose 1.15%.
The U.S. and Iran, lacking formal diplomatic ties, rely on third-party mediators-historically Oman, and recently Pakistan.
Trump said he’s speaking with a “top person” in Iran but not Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, withholding the name for safety.
A core U.S. war aim-preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon-was reportedly accepted by Tehran, though details remain vague. Iran has long denied seeking nuclear arms but rejects demands to halt all uranium enrichment.
It’s unclear whether Israel, which joined U.S. strikes in late February, would be part of any agreement. Trump recently criticized Israeli targeting of an Iranian gas field.