Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war appear to be gaining momentum, with United States and Iranian negotiators moving closer to a temporary ceasefire agreement even as tensions remain high across the region.

The latest developments come amid continued fighting and mounting pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route that has become central to negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Officials and mediators are signalling cautious optimism, though key sticking points remain unresolved.

Here is what we know:

In Iran

• US, Iran move closer to ceasefire deal: US sources told Global News Insight that US and Iranian negotiators have agreed on a preliminary framework for a 60-day ceasefire extension, though the deal still requires President Donald Trump’s approval. According to Global News Insight and Axios, the proposal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, require Iran to clear mines from the waterway within 30 days, include a pledge not to pursue a nuclear weapon and open discussions on sanctions relief and frozen Iranian assets.

War diplomacy

• Escalation may signal final push for deal: Reporting from Doha, Global News Insight’s Osama Bin Javaid said talks between the US and Iran have entered a “critical phase”, despite continued attacks across the region. He said recent military escalations suggest all sides are seeking maximum leverage before any agreement, but added there is still “cautious optimism” in Washington, Tehran and Islamabad that diplomacy is moving forward.
• US says sanctions relief off the table: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington will not discuss lifting sanctions on Iran until the Strait of Hormuz reopens and Tehran hands over its highly enriched uranium. He also said Oman’s ambassador assured him there are no plans for a toll system in the waterway, adding that the US and Iran “have been going back and forth” in negotiations.
• US sanctions Iranian strait authority: The US Treasury Department added Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority to its sanctions list, targeting the body Tehran created to manage ship transit requests through the Strait of Hormuz. The move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to increase economic pressure on Iran as negotiations over ending the war continue.

In the Gulf

• Kuwait intercepts missiles and drones: Kuwait’s military said its air defences intercepted “hostile” missiles and drones as warning sirens sounded across the country. Authorities urged residents to follow safety instructions, adding that explosion sounds were caused by interception systems.

In the US

• Trump’s patience “running out”: Reporting from Washington, DC, Global News Insight’s Alan Fisher says officials in and around the White House believe negotiations are closer than ever to a deal to end the war, after weeks of stalled diplomacy. Fisher noted that while Trump initially said the conflict could end within four to six weeks and has repeatedly suggested an agreement was near, “there’s no deal until there’s a deal.” He added that Trump’s “patience with this war is running out” as Friday marks 90 days since the conflict began.
• Trump warns Oman over Hormuz control: Trump said Washington would use force against Oman if it cooperated with Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz, declaring during a cabinet meeting that “nobody is going to control it.” The comments drew attention because Oman, a longtime US ally and mediator in Iran-US talks, has not proposed jointly overseeing the strategic waterway with Tehran.

In Israel

• Netanyahu orders expanded Gaza control: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has directed the military to seize more of Gaza, starting with 70 percent of the Palestinian territory. Israel is already estimated to control about 64 percent of the Strip, despite an October US-brokered truce that called for its forces to withdraw to the “Yellow Line”.

In Lebanon and Gaza

• Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon: The Israeli military ordered residents of parts of Tyre city and Zaqqoq al-Mufdi in southern Lebanon to vacate the area immediately and move north of the Zahrani River, about 40km (25 miles) from the Israeli border. Israel claimed the targeted buildings were located near Hezbollah facilities and warned those remaining in the area would be at risk.
• Hezbollah launches attacks on Israeli forces: Hezbollah said it launched dozens of operations targeting Israeli troops, tanks, engineering vehicles and military positions across southern Lebanon and northern Israel. The group said the attacks included close-range clashes, strikes on Merkava tanks and an Iron Dome platform, as well as drone attacks on positions in the Galilee.
• Funeral held for Hamas commander in Gaza: Dozens of Palestinians marched through Gaza City carrying the body of Hamas’s armed wing commander, Mohammad Odeh, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Tuesday night. His death came about a week after Israel killed his predecessor, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, as it continues targeting the group’s senior leadership despite the ceasefire.