U.S.-Iran Talks Show Slim Progress But Trump’s Ceasefire Deadline Still Looks Unlikely: Report
Negotiations between the United States and Iran showed signs of movement on Tuesday, but a ceasefire deal before President Donald Trump‘s 8 p.m. ET deadline still appeared unlikely, according to a new report.
Citing officials familiar with the matter, Axios noted that progress had been made over the previous 24 hours, even as both sides remained far apart on the core terms of any agreement.
The administration has been pressing for at least a temporary halt to hostilities and steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while warning that failure could trigger a broader military escalation. Trump warned on social media that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran refused to comply, underscoring the high stakes surrounding the negotiations.
According to the outlet, the talks continued through regional mediators, even amid conflicting reports about whether Tehran had suspended diplomacy. Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey have all been involved in relaying messages between Washington and Tehran. The outlet reported that Iran submitted a counterproposal on Monday that still does not match U.S. demands. Still, it was nevertheless viewed by some officials as a cautiously positive development because it signaled that channels of communication remain open.
Reuters, citing a senior Iranian official, reported that Tehran is insisting on tougher conditions for any lasting agreement. Those conditions include an immediate halt to U.S. military strikes, guarantees that such attacks will not happen again, and compensation for damage already caused. Reuters also said Iran opposes a temporary ceasefire and instead wants a permanent peace arrangement, a position that helps explain why officials involved in the diplomacy see a deal before Tuesday night as a long shot.
That mismatch has become one of the biggest obstacles in the negotiations. Axios reported that the U.S. side has been focused on confidence-building measures that could reduce tensions quickly, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and setting the stage for broader de-escalation. But Iran’s push for stronger guarantees and a more permanent framework has made it harder to reach the kind of rapid agreement Trump appears to want before his self-imposed deadline.
The Wall Street Journal reported that even after Iran cut off direct diplomacy with the United States in response to Trump’s rhetoric, indirect contacts through mediators continued. Another update from the outlet described the talks as ongoing but producing only limited progress, reinforcing Axios’ reporting that there has been movement, but not enough yet to make a breakthrough look imminent.
Axios also reported that officials have discussed the possibility of an in-person meeting between delegates, a step that could signal a more serious push to avoid further escalation.
