“We are very close to a deal with Iran — very, very close,” Trump told reporters. “I would say we are in the final throes. It could happen within days. It’s going to be a beautiful deal, a deal that’s good for America, good for Iran, and good for the world.” The President did not provide specifics about the terms being negotiated or which channels were being used for communication.

Scepticism and Hope in Equal Measure

The claim was met with a mix of cautious hope and deep scepticism. Diplomats at the United Nations noted that there has been no formal indication from Iran that it is engaged in direct peace negotiations with the United States. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has repeatedly stated that Tehran will not negotiate under military pressure, and Iranian officials have publicly rejected any deal that does not include a complete withdrawal of US forces from the region.

“We have seen no evidence of serious negotiations,” said a senior European diplomat at the UN, speaking on condition of anonymity. “President Trump has a history of making optimistic pronouncements about deals that are not as close as he suggests. We hope he is right this time, but we are not holding our breath.”

Financial markets, however, responded positively to the news. Brent crude oil prices dropped 4% to $92 per barrel on the day of the announcement, while global stock indices rallied. The Indian rupee strengthened slightly against the dollar, and airline stocks in India saw gains on hopes that a peace deal would bring down aviation fuel prices.

The War So Far

The US-Iran conflict, which began with surprise American and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and government sites on February 28, 2026, has been one of the most destructive military engagements of the 21st century. Over the past three and a half months, the war has claimed thousands of lives — including an estimated 15,000 Iranian civilians — disrupted global energy markets, triggered a refugee crisis, and drawn in regional actors across the Middle East.

Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US military bases, Israeli targets, and Gulf Arab states. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively weaponised, with attacks on commercial shipping disrupting the flow of oil that the global economy depends on. The economic fallout has been felt worldwide, with energy prices surging, inflation rising, and emerging market economies like India bearing a disproportionate burden.

The human cost has been staggering. In Iran, essential goods have become unaffordable for ordinary citizens — reports indicate that oil prices within the country have risen 430% and egg prices 345% since the war began. Iranians are reportedly resorting to instalment plans for basic necessities like bread. The humanitarian crisis has drawn condemnation from the UN, the Red Cross, and human rights organisations worldwide.

What a Deal Might Look Like

While the specifics of any potential agreement remain unknown, analysts have outlined several elements that would likely be part of a comprehensive peace deal. These include a ceasefire and withdrawal of US forces from positions near Iranian territory, guarantees that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons beyond agreed limits, the lifting of economic sanctions, compensation for civilian casualties, and arrangements for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.

The most contentious issue is likely to be Iran’s nuclear programme. The US withdrew from the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) during Trump’s first term, and any new agreement would need to address the advances Iran has made in uranium enrichment since then. Iran is believed to have stockpiled enough enriched uranium for multiple nuclear weapons, though it denies pursuing a weapons programme.

Regional dynamics add another layer of complexity. Israel, which participated in the initial strikes and has its own security concerns regarding Iran, would need to be part of any lasting agreement. Gulf Arab states, which have been attacked by Iranian missiles and drones, would also need assurances. And Russia and China, which have their own relationships with Tehran, could play a role as guarantors or spoilers.

The World Watches and Waits

For a war-weary world, Trump’s announcement offers a glimmer of hope — however fragile. The UN Security Council, which has been paralysed by vetoes, may reconvene if a deal materialises. Countries like India, which have offered to mediate, stand ready to support any diplomatic breakthrough.

But the gap between Trump’s rhetoric and reality has often been wide. Even as the President spoke of peace, US and Iranian forces were exchanging fire in the Gulf, and India was summoning the American Ambassador over a missile attack on a tanker with Indian crew. Peace, if it comes, will not be a simple handshake — it will require the painstaking work of addressing grievances, rebuilding trust, and creating structures that prevent future conflict.

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• US and Iran Reach Tentative 60-Day Ceasefire Deal — Strait of Hormuz to Reopen Within 30 Days as Nuclear Talks Begin
• India Summons US Ambassador After Oil Tanker Attack

For now, the world watches and waits — hoping that “final throes” means the end of war, not just another chapter in an escalating cycle of violence.

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Air raid sirens echoed across Israel late Sunday evening as the Iron Dome and Arrow missile defense systems scrambled to intercept the incoming projectiles. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that multiple missiles were fired from Iranian territory, though initial assessments indicated no immediate casualties or significant structural damage. However, the psychological impact on Israeli civilians, many of whom had only recently begun to return to normalcy after months of conflict, was profound.

A Ceasefire in Tatters

The April 2026 ceasefire, brokered after 40 days of intense hostilities that began on February 28, was always considered fragile by regional analysts. During those 40 days, Iran had launched approximately 650 missiles at Israel, many carrying cluster munitions — a practice banned under international law by more than 100 nations, though neither Iran, Israel, nor the United States are signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

The attacks during the initial phase of the conflict killed 24 Israeli civilians and injured more than 7,000 people. The ceasefire, while imperfect, had provided a crucial window of de-escalation that allowed diplomatic channels to function, humanitarian aid to flow, and reconstruction efforts to begin.

That fragile peace was shattered when the Israeli military conducted airstrikes targeting what it described as “strategic military installations” in Beirut’s southern suburbs on June 7. The strikes, which Lebanon’s government condemned as an act of aggression, killed at least three people and wounded dozens more.

Iran’s Swift Response

Tehran’s response was swift and unequivocal. Within hours of the Beirut strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the launch of “Operation Honest Promise III,” firing ballistic missiles at multiple targets within Israel. Iranian officials stated that the strikes were “proportionate and defensive” in nature, aimed at deterring further Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the broader region.

“The Zionist regime must understand that any attack on our allies will be met with an immediate and decisive response,” said an IRGC spokesperson in a televised address. “We warned that the ceasefire must be respected by all parties. Israel chose escalation, and it must bear the consequences.”

The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, responded with a strong statement vowing retaliation. “Iran has made a grave miscalculation. Israel will defend itself with full force against any aggression,” Netanyahu said in an emergency address to the nation.

Israel Retaliates — Strikes on Iranian Territory

True to its word, Israel carried out airstrikes against military targets in western and central Iran on June 8, just hours after the Iranian missile barrage. The IDF confirmed hitting “military infrastructure and weapons storage facilities,” though the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Iran’s state media reported limited damage and no casualties from the strikes, though independent verification has been difficult to obtain.

The tit-for-tat escalation has raised alarm among world leaders and international organisations. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for “immediate restraint from all parties” and urged a return to diplomatic negotiations. The UN Security Council convened an emergency session to discuss the deteriorating situation.

Global Diplomatic Scramble

The United States, which played a central role in brokering the April ceasefire, finds itself in an extraordinarily delicate position. President Donald Trump, who had been publicly insisting for weeks that a comprehensive peace deal between the US, Israel, and Iran was within reach, expressed frustration at the escalation.

“We were very close to a deal — a beautiful deal that would have brought lasting peace to the region,” Trump said in a statement. “Both sides need to step back from the brink. Nobody wins in a full-scale war.”

European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, issued a joint statement condemning both the Israeli strikes on Beirut and the Iranian retaliation, calling for an “immediate and unconditional return to the ceasefire framework.”

India’s Position

India, which maintains significant diplomatic and economic ties with both Israel and Iran, issued a carefully worded statement calling for “restraint and dialogue.” The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that all Indian nationals in the affected regions have been accounted for, though the Indian Embassy in Tehran issued a fresh advisory urging Indian citizens to avoid travel to Iran and recommending that those already in the country leave as soon as possible.

India’s oil imports from the region, a critical component of the country’s energy security, could face disruption if the conflict escalates further. Brent crude prices surged 4.2 percent in early Asian trading on Monday, reflecting market anxiety about potential supply disruptions.

What Comes Next?

Military analysts warn that the current trajectory is extremely dangerous. Unlike the February-April phase, which had a degree of calibration from both sides, the breakdown of the ceasefire introduces unpredictability into an already volatile situation.

“The ceasefire was the guardrail. Without it, every strike invites a counter-strike, and the risk of miscalculation grows exponentially,” said Dr. Anika Sharma, a geopolitical analyst at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi.

Israel has reportedly closed its airspace to commercial flights as a precautionary measure, and several airlines have rerouted flights away from the region. Lebanon’s Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut has also suspended operations temporarily.

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• Indian Embassy Issues Urgent Advisory: ‘Leave Iran Immediately’
• India Tears Into Pakistan at UN Security Council

As the world watches with bated breath, the coming hours and days will be critical in determining whether diplomatic channels can be reopened or whether the Middle East is headed toward a broader conflagration that could have far-reaching consequences for global stability, energy markets, and international security.

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Iran announced on Monday that it has suspended all ceasefire negotiations with the United States and will move to reimpose restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, in a dramatic escalation that threatens to reignite the global energy crisis that has plagued markets since February 2026.

The announcement, made through Iran’s state-affiliated Tasnim News Agency, cited Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah as a direct violation of the ceasefire framework agreed with Washington. Iran’s Foreign Minister posted on social media that “a ceasefire between Iran and the United States constitutes without any ambiguity a comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon. Any violation of the ceasefire on one front shall be considered a violation of it across all fronts.”

The Strait of Hormuz: A Global Chokepoint Under Threat

The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical maritime passage for energy trade. Roughly 20 percent of the world’s daily oil consumption — approximately 21 million barrels per day — passes through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Any disruption to traffic here sends immediate shockwaves through global energy markets and supply chains.

Iran has had a turbulent relationship with the strait since February 2026, when the US and Israel launched an air campaign against Iranian military targets. Since then, Iran has alternately blocked, controlled, and charged tolls on shipping through the passage. A temporary reopening in April, linked to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, provided some relief to global markets, but that arrangement now appears to be collapsing.

According to economy analysts, the crisis has already added an estimated $15–20 per barrel premium to global crude oil prices. A full re-closure could push Brent crude above $120 per barrel, triggering fresh inflationary pressures worldwide.

Timeline of the 2026 Hormuz Crisis

The current standoff has its roots in the dramatic events of late February 2026. On 28 February, following the US-Israeli air campaign against Iran and the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran moved to block all shipping through the strait as a retaliatory measure.

On 8 April, a temporary ceasefire was agreed, which was supposed to involve the reopening of the strait. However, Iran began controlling traffic and charging tolls of over $1 million per ship, prompting the US to impose a naval blockade of Iranian ports from 13 April. The situation was described by The Guardian as a “dual blockade” — the US Navy blockading Iran, and Iran blockading the Gulf.

On 17 April, an Israel-Lebanon ceasefire led Iran to announce the strait would be open to commercial shipping during the truce. But the US continued its blockade, and Iran reimposed restrictions in response. On 4 May, Trump launched Operation Project Freedom, a US Navy escort mission for merchant ships through the strait.

A tentative 60-day ceasefire deal reached in late May brought cautious optimism, but Israel’s latest military escalation in Lebanon has now undermined the entire framework.

Global Market Impact

Oil futures spiked immediately on the news. Brent crude jumped 3.4 percent in early Asian trading on Tuesday, while West Texas Intermediate rose 3.1 percent. Gold, typically a safe-haven asset during geopolitical crises, climbed 1.8 percent to hover near $2,680 per ounce.

Indian markets are particularly vulnerable. India imports approximately 85 percent of its crude oil, with a significant portion sourced from Gulf nations whose shipments transit through the Hormuz strait. The Indian rupee weakened to 87.65 against the US dollar in early trading, and analysts warned of potential increases in petrol and diesel prices domestically if the crisis persists.

“This is the nightmare scenario that markets have been pricing in since February,” said Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights, a Singapore-based oil market consultancy. “A full Hormuz closure would be unprecedented in modern history and would dwarf even the 1973 oil embargo in terms of global economic impact.”

US and European Response

The White House issued a statement late Monday calling Iran’s decision “reckless and counterproductive” and vowing that the United States would “take all necessary measures to ensure freedom of navigation in international waterways.” The statement stopped short of announcing new military deployments but reaffirmed commitment to Operation Project Freedom.

European leaders expressed alarm. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council, while British Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged “all parties to step back from the brink.” The European Union, which depends heavily on Gulf oil and gas, announced it was activating emergency energy reserves as a precautionary measure.

India’s Strategic Concerns

For India, the renewed Hormuz crisis presents both economic and strategic challenges. Beyond the immediate impact on oil prices, India’s significant trade with Gulf nations — totalling over $180 billion annually — could face disruption if the crisis escalates further.

India’s External Affairs Ministry said it was “monitoring the situation closely” and was in “constant touch” with all relevant parties. India has historically maintained balanced relations with both Iran and Israel, and diplomatic sources in New Delhi suggested that India could potentially play a mediating role if asked.

The Indian Navy’s Western Fleet has reportedly been placed on heightened alert, with vessels deployed in the Arabian Sea to ensure the safety of Indian merchant ships and oil tankers in the region.

What Comes Next

The immediate focus will be on whether Iran follows through on its threat to physically block shipping, or whether the announcement is primarily a negotiating tactic designed to pressure Washington into restraining Israel. Diplomatic sources told Reuters that back-channel communications between Iran and the US through Omani intermediaries have not been completely severed, leaving a narrow window for de-escalation.

However, with global energy companies already rerouting tankers around the Cape of Good Hope — adding 10–15 days and significant costs to each journey — the economic damage is mounting regardless of whether a full closure materialises. The world watches and waits as the Middle East’s interconnected conflicts continue to spiral.

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According to a US official familiar with the matter, the terms reportedly include an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most important oil chokepoint — within 30 days. In exchange, the United States will lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, a move that could ease global energy markets and bring crude oil prices down from their elevated levels.

The Deal Framework

The tentative agreement, brokered through Omani mediation channels, includes several key provisions. Iran would agree to temporarily lower its uranium enrichment to 3.67% — the level permitted under the 2015 JCPOA agreement — in return for access to frozen financial assets in the United States and authorisation to resume oil exports. The enrichment cap represents a significant concession, given that Iran had enriched uranium to near-weapons-grade 60% purity in recent months.

President Donald Trump, speaking after a cabinet meeting on May 27, said both sides were “close to finalising” a broader agreement involving “strong inspections” of Iranian nuclear facilities. “No single nation will be allowed to control the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump stated, underscoring one of the central demands that has driven American military action in the region since March 2026.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi struck a more cautious tone, stating he was “unsure whether a deal was imminent.” Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s advisor, Ali Shamkhani, dismissed Trump’s desired level of control over the Iranian nuclear programme as a “fantasy,” suggesting that significant gaps remain between the two sides.

Fresh Strikes Test the Truce

Even as negotiators worked toward the ceasefire extension, the military situation on the ground remained volatile. The US conducted new airstrikes in southern Iran on May 28, targeting military installations near Bandar Abbas — a major Iranian naval base that guards the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, in a dramatic escalation, claimed it had downed an American aircraft near Bushehr, though US Central Command (CENTCOM) denied the claim.

Defence analysts note that these tit-for-tat strikes represent both sides testing the boundaries of the ceasefire while simultaneously negotiating its extension. “The strikes will erode Iran’s deterrence capability,” said a senior analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, “but they also risk pushing hardliners on both sides to derail the diplomatic track.”

Merchant shipping has already begun avoiding the Strait of Hormuz following the renewed strikes. Through the strait flows approximately 20% of the world’s daily oil supply — roughly 17 million barrels per day. Any prolonged disruption to this critical waterway has immediate ramifications for global energy prices and, by extension, for major oil-importing nations like India.

Impact on India and Global Energy Markets

India, which imports over 85% of its crude oil, has been among the countries most affected by the US-Iran confrontation. The conflict has pushed Brent crude above $100 per barrel at multiple points since March, though prices softened 3.5% to $93 per barrel on May 28 amid hopes of a ceasefire deal. Average US gas prices have also eased to $4.43 per gallon, down around $0.13 from the previous week.

For India, a successful reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could provide relief to the country’s current account deficit and help ease inflationary pressures. The Indian petroleum ministry has been in close contact with Gulf suppliers to ensure alternative routing arrangements remain in place as a contingency. India’s strategic petroleum reserves — currently at roughly 90% capacity following emergency fill-ups in April — provide a buffer, but sustained price elevation would strain the fiscal budget.

The rupee, which weakened past 87 against the dollar during the worst of the Hormuz crisis in April, recovered to around 85.4 on hopes of the ceasefire deal. Stock markets also responded positively, with the Nifty 50 holding steady while metals and power sectors showed gains.

The Nuclear Dimension

The most consequential aspect of the tentative deal is the agreement to launch nuclear talks — the first substantive negotiations since the original JCPOA collapsed in 2018 when Trump withdrew the US from the agreement during his first term. The 2025-2026 US-Iran negotiation track began with a Trump letter to Khamenei in April 2025, followed by multiple rounds of talks that produced limited results until the military confrontation dramatically raised the stakes.

According to reports, the US demands include Iran fully dismantling its nuclear programme, halting all enrichment, and ending support for regional proxy groups including Hezbollah and the Houthis. Compliance is required within two months, with the offer of full sanctions relief and normalisation of relations as incentive. Iran views several of these demands as non-starters but has shown willingness to negotiate on enrichment levels and inspection protocols.

The international community has watched the negotiations with a mixture of hope and scepticism. The European Union offered to mediate, while China and Russia — both signatories to the original JCPOA — called for an immediate ceasefire without preconditions. Israel, which launched large-scale attacks targeting Iran’s military leadership and nuclear scientists in June 2025, remains deeply sceptical of any agreement that leaves Iran’s nuclear infrastructure intact.

What Happens Next

The tentative deal must still be formalised by both governments. Trump has indicated he wants a “memorandum of understanding” signed within days, while Iranian officials suggest the timeline could stretch longer. The 60-day ceasefire extension, if implemented, would provide breathing room through late July — potentially allowing enough time for a framework nuclear agreement.

However, spoilers abound. Hardliners in Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard and hawks in Washington could both seek to undermine the diplomatic track. The conflict, which began with US strikes on Iranian military positions in March 2026 following a breakdown in earlier negotiations, has already claimed hundreds of lives and disrupted global supply chains.

For now, the world watches cautiously as diplomacy and military action continue their uneasy coexistence in one of the most volatile regions on Earth. The next 48 hours will be crucial in determining whether this tentative breakthrough translates into a genuine de-escalation or joins the long list of Middle Eastern false dawns.

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The United States military carried out fresh airstrikes on an Iranian military site near Bandar Abbas, the strategic port city overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, early on Thursday morning in what the Pentagon described as a defensive response to Iranian drone launches targeting US forces in the region. US Central Command confirmed its forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones it said posed an immediate threat around the strait before targeting the Iranian ground control station that was preparing to launch a fifth drone.

The overnight strikes occurred in the context of an increasingly complex military and diplomatic landscape, as Iranian state television simultaneously reported that both sides had agreed on the framework of a memorandum of understanding that could end hostilities and restore shipping through the strategic waterway. The United States, however, quickly pushed back on the Iranian claims, with the State Department calling parts of the reported deal “complete fabrication” while acknowledging that negotiations were ongoing through back channels.

Trump Sends Mixed Signals on Negotiations

President Donald Trump, speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday evening, said he was “making progress” in negotiations to end the conflict with Iran but rejected the Iranian state TV report suggesting he might agree to a deal that would restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within a month. Trump struck an aggressive tone, warning that any nation attempting to control the strategic waterway would face devastating consequences.

“We are going to get a deal, and it’s going to be a great deal. But I didn’t do this to get a crummy agreement. If anybody tries to control the Strait, we will blow them up. That includes everybody,” Trump said, in remarks that appeared to be directed at both Iran and regional actors including Oman, which Iran had reportedly proposed as a co-manager of shipping traffic through the waterway.

The threat against Oman drew immediate concern from Gulf Cooperation Council members, with the Omani Foreign Ministry issuing a rare public statement expressing “deep concern” over the remarks and reaffirming its position as a neutral mediator. Oman has historically played a back-channel role in US-Iran diplomacy, and its inclusion in Trump’s warning rattled regional allies who see Muscat as essential to any lasting peace agreement.

Details of the Emerging Deal Framework

Despite the belligerent rhetoric on both sides, multiple diplomatic sources confirmed to international media outlets that a framework agreement has been substantially negotiated between US and Iranian officials through Omani intermediaries. The reported framework includes several key provisions that, if finalised, would represent a significant de-escalation of the conflict that has disrupted global shipping and driven oil prices to multi-year highs.

According to reports citing diplomatic sources, the framework envisages a phased restoration of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz over a 30-day period, with international naval forces providing security guarantees. Iran would commit to ceasing all mine-laying operations and drone attacks on commercial vessels, while the United States would suspend its offensive air operations against Iranian military installations. The framework also reportedly includes provisions for the eventual lifting of some sanctions on Iranian oil exports, though the specific timeline and conditions remain under negotiation.

The proposed deal does not address Iran’s nuclear programme or its support for regional proxy groups, which the United States has identified as core concerns. Critics of the emerging framework argue that it would amount to a tactical ceasefire that leaves the fundamental sources of US-Iran tension unresolved, while proponents say it would provide immediate relief to global shipping and energy markets that have been roiled by months of disruption.

Impact on India and Global Energy Markets

The ongoing US-Iran conflict has had significant implications for India, which depends on the Strait of Hormuz for approximately 60 per cent of its crude oil imports. The disruption to shipping through the waterway has contributed to elevated crude oil prices, which in turn have driven up domestic fuel costs and contributed to inflationary pressures across the Indian economy.

Moody’s Ratings this week identified Indian banks as “highly exposed” to Middle East crisis risks due to the country’s significant energy import dependence, warning that sustained high oil prices could pressure inflation, interest rates and borrower cash flows, potentially impacting loan quality across the banking sector.

The recent surge in CNG prices in India is directly linked to the geopolitical disruption, and the ongoing conflict has also been cited as a factor in the recent volatility in Indian stock markets, with foreign institutional investors pulling out Rs 27,000 crore in May alone. A resolution to the Strait of Hormuz crisis would provide significant relief to the Indian economy.

Regional Dimensions — Kuwait Activates Air Defences

The overnight military exchanges drew in additional regional actors, with Kuwait’s military announcing that it had activated its air defence systems in response to a drone and missile attack. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the attack on an unspecified air base in the Persian Gulf region came in response to the US strikes near Bandar Abbas, marking a significant escalation of the tit-for-tat cycle that has characterised the conflict in recent weeks.

The involvement of Kuwait raises concerns about the potential widening of the conflict beyond the bilateral US-Iran dynamic. Gulf states, many of which host American military bases, have sought to maintain a delicate balance between their security partnerships with Washington and their diplomatic relationships with Tehran. The prospect of being drawn directly into the crossfire has prompted several Gulf nations to accelerate their own diplomatic outreach to Iran.

Prospects for a Ceasefire

Despite the continuing military exchanges, diplomatic observers believe the trajectory is towards a ceasefire rather than further escalation. The economic costs of the conflict — elevated oil prices, disrupted supply chains, and the diversion of military resources — are mounting for both sides. Iran’s economy, already under severe sanctions pressure, has been further weakened by the direct military confrontation, while the United States faces domestic political pressure over rising gasoline prices ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The coming days are expected to be critical. If the reported framework deal gains traction, a formal ceasefire announcement could come as early as next week. However, the history of US-Iran diplomacy is littered with near-deals that collapsed at the last moment, and the hard-line factions on both sides have strong incentives to torpedo any agreement they perceive as too conciliatory.

Explore more: International

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