The US and Iran have “largely negotiated” a peace pact to end the nearly three-month war, US President Donald Trump said, asserting that he has told the negotiators “not to rush into a deal” and that “both sides must take their time and get it right.” Trump said the US blockade of ships in the Strait of Hormuz "will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified and signed."
US intelligence officials report that Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is currently in hiding at a secure, undisclosed location, according to CBS News. To evade detection and remain secure, Khamenei has reportedly restricted his communication access significantly, relying instead on a secretive network of couriers to transmit messages.
This unconventional and highly restricted communication system has surfaced as a primary hurdle in diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran. Citing officials familiar with the situation, the report notes that the lack of direct access is complicating negotiations for a potential agreement. Even Iranian negotiators authorized to deal with the Donald Trump administration are reportedly finding it difficult to coordinate effectively within their own government's fractured communication structure.
Iran War Live Updates: Mojtaba Hiding In Undisclosed Location
Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is sheltering in a secret, undisclosed location and is communicating with his own government exclusively through a network of couriers, CBS News reported, citing US officials with knowledge of the matter. The security posture so extreme that even senior Iranian officials have no direct way to reach him, the report said.
According to CBS News, officials at the highest levels of the Iranian government say they do not know where Mojtaba Khamenei is and have no way to contact him directly, relying instead on a network of couriers
Iran War Live Updates: Trump Says Iran Deal Not Fully Negotiated Yet
US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social late Sunday night to defend his administration's ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, while simultaneously acknowledging that no deal has yet been finalised.
Iran War Live Updates: Rubio Says Nuclear Iran Is 'Not Going To Happen'
Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed back on Sunday during a diplomatic mission in India, telling reporters at a news conference that no president has been stronger against Iran than Trump.
“His commitment to that principle that they'll never have a nuclear weapon shouldn't be questioned by anybody,” Rubio said.
“And the idea that somehow this president, given everything he's already proven he's willing to do, is going to somehow agree to a deal that ultimately winds up putting Iran in a stronger position when it comes to nuclear ambitions is absurd. That's just not going to happen.”
Iran War Live Updates: Trump Hits Out At Obama
Trump also hit out at former President Barack Obama's 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and suggested that Iran could join the Abraham Accords.
“I would like to thank, thus far, all of the countries of the Middle East for their support and cooperation, which will be further enhanced and strengthened by their joining the Nations of the historic Abraham Accords and, who knows, perhaps the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to join, as well,” Trump said.
Iran War Live Updates: Brent Crude Below $98
Global benchmark Brent crude fell as much as 5.4% to $97.97 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate traded below $92. The decline marks Brent's fourth drop in five sessions and puts prices on track for their lowest close in more than a month.
Iran War Live Updates: Don't Rush Into Deal, Trump Says
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump wrote, "If I make a deal with Iran, it will be a good and proper one, not like the one made by Obama, which gave Iran massive amounts of CASH, and a clear and open path to a Nuclear Weapon. Our deal is the exact opposite, but nobody has seen it, or knows what it is. It isn’t even fully negotiated yet. So don’t listen to the losers, who are critical about something they know nothing about. Unlike those before me who should have solved this problem many years ago, I don’t make bad deals!"