US Iran war Highlights: Trump on Iran deal timeline — ‘Never a deadline,’ says ‘agreement will happen’

Trump , while speaking at the Oval Office, rules out setting any timeline for Iran negotiations, saying there is “never a deadline”

Repeats that a deal will “happen,” but timing remains open-ended

Expresses confidence that Iran “want to make a deal badly”

Reaffirms hardline stance: Iran “can’t have nuclear weapons”

Claims Iran has “agreed” to key conditions, including nuclear restrictions

Donald Trump told PBS it was unlikely that special envoy Steve Witkoff or his son-in-law Jared Kushner would participate directly in negotiations at this stage.

“Unlikely, I think we can do it here,” Trump said.

“Maybe for the final meeting, we'll have a signing someplace.”

He also suggested a breakthrough could happen before his upcoming visit to China.

“It’s possible, yeah,” Trump said.

“It would be ideal. It doesn't have to, but it would be ideal.”

US President Trump confirmed to PBS about reports that the proposed agreement could involve Iran transferring its highly enriched uranium stockpile to the United States.

When asked whether exporting uranium to the US was part of the deal, Trump replied: “No, not perhaps. It goes to the United States.”

“Yeah, I think so, but I felt that way before with them, so we'll see what happens,” Trump told PBS when asked whether the US was nearing a deal with Iran.

He added: “I think we'll have a very good chance of making a deal again. If we don't, we'll go back to our old ways.”

Iran is reviewing a new US proposal aimed at ending the nearly 10-week conflict, according to a Bloomberg report citing a person familiar with the matter.

The news outlet said more detailed negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme would follow later and that “nothing has yet been agreed.”

The news outlet said Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency said the proposal contains “excessive and unrealistic proposals” that have been “strongly rejected” by Iranian authorities in recent days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding talks with officials in the Trump administration on Wednesday, according to an Israeli source cited by CNN.

Netanyahu is seeking updates on the latest developments in ongoing US-Iran negotiations.

The Israeli leader wants clarity on what terms and proposals are currently being discussed.

Israel is reportedly concerned about possible last-minute US concessions to Iran aimed at securing a deal to end the conflict.

The talks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said it is “too early” to discuss a possible meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Salam’s remarks came as Lebanon and Israel continue negotiations aimed at ending Israeli attacks.

According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), Salam said Lebanon is seeking “peace” with Israel, not normalization of relations.

He stated that any potential “high-level meeting with the Israeli side would require a lot of preparation.”

Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on X: "I held constructive talks in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Both sides reaffirmed Iran's right to safeguard national sovereignty and national dignity. The Iranian side appreciates the four-point proposal put forward by the Chinese side on upholding and promoting regional peace and stability. The Iranian side trusts the Chinese side and expects the Chinese side to continue playing a positive role in promoting peace and stopping war, and supports the establishment of a new post-war regional architecture that can coordinate development and security."

Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran. If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before."

India’s federal cabinet on Tuesday approved a credit guarantee plan with capital allocation of 181 billion rupees ($1.9 billion) to help businesses and airlines cushion the impact of the war in Iran.

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As per Reuters, US President Donald Trump said, "If Iran doesn't agree, bombing starts at much higher level."

"if Iran agrees, epic fury will be at an end, and highly effective blockade will allow Hormuz Strait to be open to all, including Iran."

Crude oil prices dropped sharply by over 11% to ₹8,588 per barrel in futures trading on Wednesday, mirroring steep declines in global markets amid indications of a possible diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran, as per PTI.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX), crude oil for May delivery fell by ₹1,110, or 11.45%, to ₹8,588 per barrel, with a trading volume of 12,132 lots.

Likewise, the June contract saw a significant decline of ₹1,098, or 11.69%, settling at ₹8,298 per barrel across 4,274 lots.

China on Wednesday called on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at the earliest, while also welcoming Tehran’s assurance that it will not pursue nuclear weapons, an essential condition set by US President Donald Trump for ending the conflict.

Beijing’s appeal comes amid ongoing efforts to ease tensions, as the reopening of the crucial maritime route remains vital for global energy supplies and trade.

"On the issue of the Strait, the international community shares a common concern over restoring normal and secure navigation through the Strait, and China hopes relevant parties will respond as soon as possible to the strong call from the international community," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi informed his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi during their discussions here, as per PTI.

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday dismissed suggestions that Iran could deploy mine-carrying dolphins against American warships in the Strait of Hormuz, while conspicuously stopping short of denying that the US Navy operates its own marine mammal programme.

Hegseth's remarks, made during a Pentagon briefing, have drawn renewed attention to a reportedly classified-adjacent world of military dolphin training that US experts say is far more sophisticated and ethically considered than its Hollywood reputation suggests.

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US President Donald Trump said he plans to discuss the Iran conflict with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their summit next week, while also attempting to play down tensions between the two countries over the issue.

“That’ll be one subject, but he’s been very nice about this,” Trump said.

“He’s been very respectful. We haven’t been challenged by China,” the president mentioned.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has played a mediating role in the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, said on Wednesday that he is “hopeful” ongoing negotiations will pave the way for peace in the Middle East.

His remarks come as Pakistan continues to act as a key intermediary, urging dialogue and de-escalation between the involved nations.

"We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond," he wrote on X.

The White House reportedly believes it is nearing a deal with Iran on a brief, one-page memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict and establishing a foundation for more comprehensive nuclear negotiations, according to a Wednesday report by Axios, which cited US officials and other informed sources

The report added that the United States is expecting Iran’s response on several crucial issues within the next 48 hours. While no agreement has been finalised, sources indicated this is the closest both sides have come to reaching a deal since the conflict began.

Iran will only accept "a fair and comprehensive agreement" in its negotiations with the U.S. on ending the war in the Middle East, its foreign minister said on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump cited "great progress" in the process. (Reuters)

Hours after the UAE's top oil executive said the country had "emerged stronger" from war and as thousands attended an Abu Dhabi summit to boost the local economy, phones across the country were alerting that missiles were incoming. (AFP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met China's top diplomat Wang Yi for talks in Beijing on Wednesday, China's Xinhua news agency reported, without giving details on the discussion.

Iran's Fars news agency earlier said Araghchi would "discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments with his Chinese counterpart".