Iran and U.S. Closing In on Historic Peace Deal as Negotiations Intensify
Iranian and American officials signal they are closing in on an agreement to transform a ceasefire into a lasting settlement, with talks focused on Iran's nuclear stockpile and frozen funds. President Trump is convening his Cabinet at Camp David to discuss the progress as negotiations grind on.
Ceasefire to Settlement
Iran and the United States have signaled they are closing in on an agreement to turn the existing ceasefire that ended weeks of heavy bombing into a longer-lasting settlement. With each passing day, Iranian and US officials are raising their demands, hostilities are flaring between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, and civilians are being killed — raising the stakes of tenuous negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
Nuclear and Financial Issues
Iran's nuclear stockpile was on the cards when a Tehran delegation met Qatari mediators for "generally positive" talks in Doha on Monday, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency. Qatari and Iranian diplomats chiefly discussed Iran's "frozen funds," the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Tuesday. Talks around a potential peace deal with Iran have intensified in recent days as the president weighs a path to stop the fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and settle negotiations on nuclear matters within 60 days.
Trump Administration Response
President Donald Trump is expected to gather his Cabinet Wednesday for a meeting at Camp David, according to a White House official, convening top officials at a high-stakes moment for the US war with Iran. There is significant political pressure on the White House to resolve the conflict, with consequential midterm elections months away.
Internet Restoration in Iran
Internet activity in Iran has been partially restored, according to monitoring group NetBlocks, after President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered authorities to restore access. NetBlocks said the restoration came on day 88 of the blackout, calling it "the longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history."