>> Continued From the Previous Page <<
“They were on the phone and backchanneling with all the countries, and they are getting closer,” the U.S. official said.
Another official confirmed that progress is being made, but acknowledged the complexity of the situation.
“We want to make a deal. And parts of their government want to make a deal. Now the trick is to get the whole of government over there to make the deal,” a third U.S. official said.
That internal division within Iran’s leadership appears to be a key sticking point. While some factions may be open to compromise, others remain deeply skeptical of U.S. intentions—raising questions about whether Tehran can ultimately present a unified front.
Despite these challenges, sources familiar with the talks say preparations are underway for another round of direct, face-to-face negotiations in the coming days. No official date has been announced, but the urgency is clear as the ceasefire deadline looms.
Vice President Vance, who played a central role in early discussions held in Pakistan, struck an optimistic tone during remarks at a Turning Point USA event in Georgia.
“I think the people we’re sitting across from wanted to make a deal. … I feel very good about where we are.”
Even if a preliminary framework is secured, officials say the work will be far from over. Any initial agreement would likely require an extension of the ceasefire to hammer out the finer details of a comprehensive deal.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is continuing to apply intense economic pressure on Iran—a strategy officials say is beginning to yield results. A naval blockade has effectively choked off Iran’s ability to export oil, a critical lifeline for its economy.
“Iran has no money. They’re broke. We know it. And they know we know it,” one U.S. official said.
Before the blockade, Iran was exporting roughly 1.5 million barrels of oil per day, generating an estimated $140 million in daily revenue. U.S. officials say those earnings have now been reduced to near zero.
A major focal point of this pressure campaign is Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub, responsible for handling about 90% of the country’s shipments. By cutting off access to this facility, the administration believes it can cripple Iran’s energy sector without deploying ground forces.
“We don’t need to invade Kharg right now. We can just strangle it,” another administration official said.
The consequences could be severe. If Iran’s storage capacity fills up and exports remain blocked, the country may be forced to halt oil production altogether—risking long-term damage to its infrastructure and economy.
“What does it say if Iran, a country the world knows for its oil, can’t produce oil? It’s going to be worse than Venezuela under Maduro,” one official said.
Even before the conflict escalated, Iran was already under significant strain from Trump-era “maximum pressure” sanctions. Those measures contributed to rising unemployment, fuel shortages, and surging food prices. The current war has only deepened the crisis.
Recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have dealt additional blows, reportedly knocking out two of Iran’s largest steel plants and disrupting its petrochemical sector. At the same time, financial instability has worsened, with Iran’s military payroll system—run through the state-controlled Sepah Bank—frequently targeted by cyberattacks.
Last month, an Israeli missile strike reportedly hit Iran’s digital security infrastructure, further exposing vulnerabilities.
Adding to the economic turmoil is a prolonged internet shutdown now stretching into its 47th day, costing the country an estimated $50 million daily in lost productivity.
Taken together, these mounting pressures are reshaping theفاوض landscape. While significant hurdles remain, the combination of diplomatic engagement and economic leverage may ultimately force Tehran to make a difficult choice: continue down a path of isolation and decline, or come to the table and strike a deal.
