President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. is making progress in negotiations with Iran to end hostilities.
These diplomatic efforts are critical for restoring safe shipping in the region and ending a conflict that has lasted 76 days [1]. A successful agreement could stabilize global oil markets, and reduce the risk of a wider regional war.
President Trump (R-FL) said on May 5, 2026, that the administration had seen "great progress in the talks" [2]. Based on requests from Pakistan and other countries, Trump said the progress allowed the U.S. to pause the Project Freedom initiative in the Strait of Hormuz [3].
Vice President JD Vance (R-OH) said in a statement on May 13, 2026, "I believe progress is being made in negotiations with Iran to end hostilities" [4].
Despite these optimistic reports, the diplomatic path has not been entirely linear. While the administration highlights progress, some reports indicate President Trump rejected the latest proposal from Tehran, describing it as unacceptable [5].
By May 20, 2026, Trump said that the U.S. was in the final stages of talks with Iran [6]. The administration continues to signal that a resolution may be imminent as they seek to balance diplomatic concessions with regional security requirements.
The pause of naval escorts in the Strait of Hormuz serves as a tangible sign of the administration's willingness to adjust its military posture in exchange for diplomatic breakthroughs [3]. This shift comes as the U.S. attempts to navigate the complex demands of international partners, and the Iranian government.
“"I believe progress is being made in negotiations with Iran to end hostilities."”
The U.S. is employing a 'carrot-and-stick' approach by combining high-level diplomatic negotiations with the tactical pausing of military initiatives like Project Freedom. While the reported progress suggests a potential ceasefire, the rejection of Tehran's latest proposal indicates that significant gaps remain regarding the final terms of the agreement.
