Trump says Iran deal could be reached within days - Fox Business

Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan have been passing messages between the United States and Iran in recent days in an effort to de-escalate the conflict, Axios reported, citing a US source.

Senior officials from the three countries held separate talks with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the source said.

“The mediation is ongoing and making progress… the discussion is about ending the war and resolving all outstanding issues,” the source said, adding: “We hope to have answers soon.”

Britain welcomes productive talks between US President Donald Trump and Iran, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday, adding that the country continued to seek de-escalation in the Middle East.

“Any reports of productive talks are welcome,” the spokesperson said about Trump’s earlier announcement that he would pause planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, following what he described as “very good and productive conversations” with Tehran.

The spokesperson added that a swift end to the war was in the global interest and said the Strait of Hormuz needed to be reopened.

Russia’s foreign ministry said on Monday it opposed any blockade of the waterway but added that the situation should be viewed within a broader global context, according to Interfax.

China urged all sides to halt military activity and return to negotiations, warning that continued confrontation risks destabilizing the region.

“Should hostilities continue to escalate and the situation deteriorate further, the entire region will be plunged into chaos,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said. “The use of force will only lead to a vicious cycle.”

Disruptions shake energy markets

Recent limits on shipping through the strait have disrupted energy flows and driven oil prices higher, highlighting the route’s role as a conduit for roughly one-fifth of global crude and liquefied natural gas.

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The disruption follows rising tensions that have curtailed maritime traffic and raised concerns among energy-importing countries over prolonged supply constraints.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said he would postpone planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure after what he described as constructive talks with Tehran.

“Based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The remark follows his earlier 48-hour ultimatum warning Iran to reopen the strait or face military action targeting its energy sector.

This comes weeks after large-scale US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders and destroying military infrastructure.

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Iran sets terms for access

Iran’s Defense Council said on Monday that passage through the strait would depend on coordination with Tehran for countries it described as non-belligerent.

“The only way to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for non-belligerent states is by coordinating passage with Iran,” the council said.

The statement warned that any attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure would draw a strong response and raised the possibility of mining maritime routes if Iranian territory were targeted.

Diplomatic push to keep waterway open

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said 22 countries were working together to ensure the strait remains open, reflecting growing international concern.

Earlier this month, China held discussions with Iran aimed at securing safe passage for oil and liquefied natural gas tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as the conflict intensified, according to three diplomatic sources talking to Reuters.

There are no talks between Tehran and Washington, Iran’s foreign ministry said, rejecting remarks by US President Donald Trump, semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

The ministry said Trump’s comments were part of an effort to lower energy prices and buy time for his military plans.

It said there have been initiatives by regional countries to reduce tensions, but added that Iran’s response to all of them was clear: “We are not the party that started this war, and all these requests should be referred to Washington.”

Iran’s IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency said on Monday that there were no negotiations with the United States and that conditions in the Strait of Hormuz would not return to pre-war levels.

“No negotiations have taken place and none are underway,” a senior security official told Tasnim.

The official said Iran told intermediaries that it would continue defending itself “until the necessary level of deterrence is achieved.”

Trump had earlier said Washington and Tehran held “very good and productive conversations” and announced a five-day postponement of strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.