Tehran has tempered expectations of a swift agreement with Washington to end months of conflict, stating that no final decision has been taken on the proposed truce. Qatari negotiators landed in the Iranian capital on Saturday to help bridge remaining gaps, even as US President Donald Trump claimed a deal could be sealed as early as Sunday.

Mixed Signals from Tehran

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said political, legal and technical reviews of the proposed agreement are still underway. While rejecting claims of a signing on Sunday, officials indicated that an understanding could still be reached in the coming days. The ministry also announced new regulations to monitor shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, with possible future levies on vessels using the vital waterway.

The comments came hours after Trump asserted that the deal would immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping and mark a major improvement in bilateral ties. Washington and Islamabad have expressed optimism that a framework agreement could end nearly four months of hostilities.

Qatari Mediators Step In

A high-level Qatari delegation, led by an adviser to Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, arrived in Tehran to push for final approval. Iranian state media ISNA and Tasnim reported that the team aims to review the latest developments in the diplomatic track. Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters the visit is part of intense last-minute efforts to finalise the truce.

Background of the Conflict

The current tensions stem from escalated hostilities involving the US, Israel and Iran that began earlier this year. The 12-day war with Israel last year remains fresh in Iranian memory, with President Masoud Pezeshkian recently hailing it as a “symbol of national solidarity.” Reports also emerged of Iran securing tunnels at the Isfahan nuclear facility amid the uncertainty.

Protests on Iranian Streets

Public reaction in Iran has been mixed. In Mashhad, dozens gathered outside the Foreign Ministry office to protest against what they see as excessive concessions. Demonstrators raised slogans against Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf, warning that the deal could weaken Iran’s strategic leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. Similar protests were reported in Tehran via social media videos.

Regional Ripples and Israeli Stance

The developments have kept the wider region on edge. Israel continued operations in southern Lebanon, issuing displacement orders for residents of 29 towns and villages and reporting the killing of seven Hezbollah fighters. Far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich reiterated strong positions against Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Trump’s approach towards Iran.

India has also been drawn in, with New Delhi summoning a US diplomat over attacks on ships carrying Indian sailors. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that violations of the Hormuz blockade would not be tolerated.

Political Reactions in the US

In Washington, Democratic lawmakers expressed scepticism. Senator Adam Schiff hoped the deal would hold but pointed to past broken promises. On the Republican side, some lawmakers continued to voice strong reservations about allowing Iran any path to nuclear weapons.

What Lies Ahead

According to reports, the proposed interim memorandum of understanding could be followed by 60 days of technical negotiations covering Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and management of the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides appear conscious of the high stakes — economic, strategic and humanitarian.

Iranian officials, including Ambassador Abolfazl Pasandideh, have emphasised that ordinary Iranians harbour no enmity towards the American people and seek mutual respect. The coming hours and days will be critical in determining whether the diplomatic momentum in Tehran translates into a concrete agreement.

The arrival of Qatari mediators has injected fresh urgency into efforts to end the war, but Tehran’s cautious tone suggests that several hurdles remain before any deal is finalised.

Rubio says deal possible within days as explosions rock strategic port city near Hormuz

Even as American warplanes struck targets in southern Iran, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that a deal with Tehran remains possible, suggesting that diplomacy and military action may be running on parallel tracks.

"There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we'll see if we can make progress," Rubio told reporters in Jaipur, where he is on an official visit to India. He acknowledged that negotiators are haggling over "specific language in the initial document," adding that a breakthrough could take "a few days."

The comments came just hours after the US military confirmed fresh "self-defence" strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and boats allegedly attempting to lay mines near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Explosions Rock Bandar Abbas

Multiple blast reports emerged from the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, a critical naval hub along the strait. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps acknowledged three explosions early Tuesday local time, without immediately specifying the cause.

A later IRGC statement said air defence systems had been activated near Bandar Abbas airport after another blast was heard. State-run IRNA reported "several consecutive explosions" around midnight, while Fars News Agency, citing eyewitnesses, said blasts were also heard near Sirik and Jask along the Persian Gulf coastline.

US Central Command spokesman Timothy Hawkins described the operation as defensive. "US forces conducted self-defence strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces," he said.

Trump Raises Stakes on Nuclear Issue

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump injected fresh complexity into the diplomatic calculus, posting on Truth Social that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile must be handed over to the United States for destruction or dismantled under international supervision.

Trump described the material as "nuclear dust" and indicated the process would involve the Atomic Energy Commission "or its equivalent." The demand signals Washington is pushing for concrete nuclear rollbacks, not just ceasefire arrangements.

Tehran Strikes Cautious Note

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai acknowledged progress in talks with the US on Monday but warned against premature optimism. "It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion," Baqai said. "But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent, no one can make such a claim."

Tehran has not formally responded to the latest American strikes, leaving observers uncertain whether the attacks will derail Qatari-mediated negotiations.

Oil Prices Jump on Renewed Fears

Crude oil prices climbed in Asian trading following the Bandar Abbas strikes. Brent crude rose nearly 2% to around $97 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate approached $91 per barrel.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes, has been effectively disrupted since Tehran escalated its military posture in late February. Rubio struck a firm tone on the waterway's status. "The straits have to be open. They're going to be open one way or the other," he said.

The current conflict traces back to February 28, when the US and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran, triggering Tehran's retaliation against Israel and allied Gulf states. Despite the violence, Trump indicated over the weekend that he had instructed negotiators "not to rush into" an agreement, suggesting Washington is willing to let military and diplomatic tracks play out simultaneously.