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The United States and Iran are closer to a deal than their public postures suggest, with sources telling CNN on Tuesday that intense behind-the-scenes diplomacy is ongoing.
Talks are centered on a staged process, Hormuz first, nuclear program later, even as CNN separately reported that U.S. President Donald Trump signaled during his Monday Situation Room meeting that he was unlikely to accept Iran's current proposal in its present form.
Sources familiar with the mediation process told CNN that the two sides were not as far apart as they seemed, and that the emerging framework centered on a staged process in which the first phase would focus on returning to the pre-war status quo and reopening the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions or tolls, with the nuclear question addressed in a subsequent phase.
Mediators were described as applying pressure on both sides, with the next few days characterized as "especially crucial."
The sources also noted that hanging over the entire process was the possibility that the U.S. could disengage and return to war.
However, two sources familiar with Monday's Situation Room meeting told CNN that Trump had conveyed he was unlikely to accept Iran's latest proposal as submitted, the plan to reopen Hormuz while leaving nuclear questions for later.
One source said the president was "not likely to accept the plan that was sent to the U.S. over the last few days."
Trump's next move remained uncertain. U.S. officials were also described as concerned about what they characterized as internal divisions within Iran's leadership and unclear who held final authority over any potential agreement.
White House assistant press secretary Olivia Wales told CNN, "These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the U.S. will not negotiate through the press. As the president has said, the United States holds the cards and will only make a deal that puts the American people first, never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon."
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