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President Trump says the U.S. is close to a peace agreement with Iran, but conflicting signals remain. Iran says its security leadership supports ending the war through talks, while Iranian officials warn that Israel’s strike in Beirut could damage the process. U.S. officials say they are confident, but also warn Iran will face consequences if it violates any deal.
President Donald Trump said the United States is close to a ceasefire and peace agreement with Iran, even as tensions over Israel’s strike in Beirut raised new doubts about whether the deal can be finalized on the expected timeline.
Trump criticized Israel’s attack in Beirut’s Dahiyeh area, a Hezbollah stronghold, saying the strike “should not have happened” at a sensitive moment when Washington is trying to close a deal with Tehran.
Trump stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself, but said the incident that led to the strike was minor and caused no deaths, injuries, or damage. He warned that no party should allow it to derail what he described as a possible beginning of broader regional peace, including Lebanon.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran’s Supreme National Security Council supports ending the war through dialogue. At the same time, Iranian officials signaled frustration over Israel’s action in Lebanon, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accusing Washington of either being unwilling or unable to enforce its commitments.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump and the American negotiating team remain confident that an agreement can be reached, while acknowledging that Iran is difficult to negotiate with and often sends mixed signals from within its own leadership.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a tougher warning, saying Iran will face the “Department of War” again if it fails to honor any agreement. He said any deal would be based on performance, not promises, and that Iran would not receive funds or sanctions relief before fulfilling its obligations.
Reports say Qatar is helping mediate the final talks, with a Qatari delegation in Tehran. Iranian-linked sources, however, suggested that a final signature may not happen on Trump’s stated timeline, even if negotiations continue.
The reported framework includes Iran committing not to pursue nuclear weapons, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and addressing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. U.S. officials say Iran will not be allowed to keep weapons-grade pathways open.
The message from Washington is clear: diplomacy may be close, but Iran must prove compliance. Israel must remain able to defend itself, while Hezbollah and Iran-backed forces must not be allowed to sabotage regional security.
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