Tentative US-Iran Deal Nears ‘Finish Line,’ Former Trump NSC Official Says

(Alex Raufoglu – RFE/RL) As conflicting signals continue to emerge from Washington and Tehran over reports of a possible interim agreement, the White House has struggled to clarify whether the US and Iran are actually on the verge of a deal. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters that negotiations were ongoing and stressed that President Donald Trump would not accept a “bad deal” for the US.
The uncertainty comes amid reports that Washington and Tehran may be discussing a 60-day framework aimed at extending a cease-fire and reopening negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. The reported diplomacy has exposed divisions both within the Trump administration and among Republicans, with critics accusing the White House of softening its stance toward Tehran even as tensions continue in the Strait of Hormuz. To better understand what may be happening behind the scenes, RFE/RL spoke with Alexander Gray, who served as chief of staff of the National Security Council during President Donald Trump’s first term and is now CEO of the geopolitical consulting firm American Global Strategies. – Tentative US-Iran Deal Nears ‘Finish Line,’ Former Trump NSC Official Says