Senior U.S. officials, including Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Marco Rubio, are working to finalize a potential deal aimed at ending the war involving Iran.

Rubio emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must reopen, calling its closure “unlawful” and “unsustainable.” He noted that ongoing talks in Qatar are focused on finalizing key language, though an agreement may still take time.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command confirmed “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran, targeting missile sites and vessels believed to pose threats to American forces. The strikes occurred near Bandar Abbas and followed continued tensions despite a cease-fire in place for several weeks.

Military officials reported that U.S. ships and aircraft operating in the region have faced threats, including surface-to-air missiles, as part of the ongoing standoff.

At the same time, Iranian officials acknowledged progress in negotiations, stating that many issues have been resolved. However, they cautioned that a final agreement is not yet imminent and accused the U.S. of shifting positions.

The proposed deal could involve Iran reducing or eliminating highly enriched uranium, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and, in return, receiving relief from U.S. sanctions.

U.S. officials say Iran appears more willing to negotiate following recent military actions, though key details—especially enforcement of nuclear limits—remain under discussion.

While both sides signal cautious optimism, the outcome remains uncertain as negotiations continue and tensions persist in the region.