President Trump expressed optimism Wednesday regarding ongoing negotiations with Iran, stating that the U.S. and Tehran have held 'good talks over the last 24 hours.' The White House is awaiting Iran's response to a one-page memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at ending hostilities and establishing a framework for detailed nuclear negotiations.
Backchannel Diplomacy Underway
The MOU, negotiated through intermediaries, includes provisions for Iran to halt nuclear enrichment, the U.S. to lift sanctions, and the unfreezing of billions in Iranian assets. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoys, have been leading the discussions with Iranian officials, though Tehran has yet to provide a formal response.
'We are not far, but there is no deal yet,' a U.S. official said.
Timeline and Pressure
Trump emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement by the end of his China trip next Friday, warning that military action could resume if talks fail. 'If they don't agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,' Trump stated on Truth Social.
Israeli Coordination
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed ongoing coordination with the U.S., aligning on the goal of removing Iran's enriched nuclear material and dismantling its enrichment capabilities. Netanyahu also indicated readiness for military action should negotiations collapse.
The IDF conducted a targeted strike in Beirut on Wednesday, hitting Hezbollah commanders. While Trump had advised Netanyahu to limit strikes, Israel defended the action as 'surgical.' It remains unclear how this will impact ongoing talks with Iran.