Iran's nuclear programme remains a key factor in any potential agreement between Tehran and Washington.

In his latest post on Truth Social, President Trump has said Iran "must understand" it cannot "develop or procure a nuclear weapon or bomb".

Iran has repeatedly stated its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only. However, many countries, in addition to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), are not convinced.

Previous nuclear deal

In 2018, during Trump's first administration, the US pulled out of the existing nuclear deal with Iran and reinstated economic sanctions.

In retaliation, Iran installed thousands of advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium, something which had been banned by the deal.

US strikes against nuclear sites

Then, in June 2025, the US bombed three key nuclear sites in Iran - Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan - which Trump said "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities.

However, the Pentagon's initial assessment of the attacks indicate it did not destroy Iran's nuclear programme, but likely only set it back by months.

US-Iran war

Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran on 28 February, the elimination of Iran's nuclear programme has been an often-repeated motivation by US officials.

Earlier today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the US position that "Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon".

However, Iranian state media has denied reports than Iran has agreed to hand over its nuclear material and stated Iran's nuclear programme is not covered by the ongoing negotiations.

We can now bring you the full statement that President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social.

"One of the worst deals ever made by our Country was the Iran Nuclear Deal, put forth and signed into existence by Barack Hussein Obama and the rank amateurs of the Obama Administration.

"It was a direct path to Iran developing a Nuclear Weapon. Not so with the transaction currently being negotiated with Iran by the Trump Administration - THE EXACT OPPOSITE, in fact!

"The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side.

"The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed. Both sides must take their time and get it right.

"There can be no mistakes! Our relationship with Iran is becoming a much more professional and productive one. They must understand, however, that they cannot develop or procure a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb.

"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!

"Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP"

Writing on Truth Social, President Donald Trump says "negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner" and that he has informed the US team "not to rush into a deal", adding that "time is on our side".

The US blockade on Iranian ports will remain until an agreement is reached, he says.

We will bring you the full statement shortly.

Image source, EPA

House Speaker Mike Johnson has been talking about the potential Iran deal with Fox News. He says he's very confident it will stop Iran having nuclear weapons.

"I talked with him [President Trump] late last night. He’s as resolute as he’s been from the beginning," Johnson says.

The highest-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives says the current proposal being worked on by the US and Iran will "allow 60 days to get all the details done".

He says Trump’s number one condition is Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon.

“We’ll take care of the nuclear dust,” he adds.

Image source, Getty Images

With few details at this point, US lawmakers have started to weigh in on potential progress between the US and Iran.

Democratic Congressman Jim Himes has pressed for more details during an interview with CNN.

"Until you have a deal, you have no deal. What you have here is a framework," Himes says. He adds that "if the leaked details are correct, yes the Iranians are going to get to ship oil".

"Apparently this deal may involve immediate sanctions relief," Himes says. "It's hard to arrive at any conclusion other than the fact that because of the political toxicity of this war, President Trump has just surrendered."

Image source, Reuters

Despite a ceaserfire between Israel and Lebanon having been agreed and extended, the death toll in Lebanon carries on climbing.

Lebanon was drawn into the war on 2 March, when the Iran-backed group Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli positions, after Iran's supreme leader was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike. Israel then launched a military operation targeting southern and central Beirut and parts of southern and eastern Lebanon.

Israel's defence minister has since said that he plans to keep control over a swathe of territory in Lebanon even after the war is over - read more here.

What is the death toll?

• As of Friday, Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli attacks had killed 3,111 people, and wounded over 9,400
• More than a million people - roughly one in every six in the country - have been displaced from their homes, according to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR
• The Israeli military reports 21 of its soldiers have been killed in or near Lebanon since 2 March

What about the ceasefire?

Lebanon and Israel agreed a 10-day ceasefire that took effect at midnight local time on 16 April. Donald Trump then said this was extended on 23 April. It was then extended again on 15 May, by 45 days.

Both Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange fire since the ceasefire first came into force, and both have accused each other of ceasefire violations.

Earlier, the Israel Defence Forces ordered the evacuation of ten villages in southern Lebanon.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is issuing "urgent" warnings to residents in ten villages in southern Lebanon.

In a post on X, IDF Arab spokesperson Avichay Adraee says that, "in light of Hezbollah's violation of the ceasefire agreement", the IDF is "compelled to act forcefully against them".

• As a reminder, Lebanon and Israel agreed on 15 May to extend their truce by 45 days, with the two sides set to resume negotiations at the beginning of June

Adraee orders people in the area to evacuate their homes and move at least 1,000 metres away from the villages and towns to open areas.

Both Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange fire since the US-brokered ceasefire came into force last month.

Image source, LightRocket via Getty Images

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says his country is "ready to assure the world" that it is not seeking nuclear weapons, according to state media.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) quotes the president in a post on Telegram as saying: “Prior to the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s late Leader, we declared - and we reiterate now - that we are ready to assure the world we do not seek nuclear weapons."

According to the agency, the president adds that Iran "does not desire regional instability" and that it is "the Israeli regime... that seeks to destabilise the region". But he says Iranian negotiators will not "compromise on the dignity and honour of the country".

It comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has hinted that President Donald Trump may make an announcement later today on negotiations.

Image source, Getty Images

On Saturday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state television that US and Iranian positions had been converging in the last week, but also accused the US of "contradictory statements".

Baghaei said Iran was in the process of finalising a "memorandum of understanding" which would allow additional talks so that "ultimately a final agreement can be reached".

Late on Saturday, US President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran had been "largely negotiated" and said details would soon be announced.

Ishaq Dar, deputy prime minister of Pakistan, who has been mediating talks, has said that recent negotiations are "grounds for optimism" that a positive outcome is "within reach".

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters in New Delhi earlier, said "significant progress" had been made on a potential deal, but not "final progress".

He hinted at news on the Strait of Hormuz, said Iran can "never posses a nuclear weapon" and added that there is still "work to do".

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have both released statements welcoming reports of progress, with both stating Iran must not be allowed to posses a nuclear weapon.

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the conflict has impacted shipping across the globe.

Here's a reminder of why it matters:

Jack Grey
Live reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Details are beginning to emerge about a potential deal between the US and Iran.

A 60-day ceasefire extension and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz are among those believed to be included, according to US outlet Axios.

No official agreement has yet been confirmed.

Iranian media reports there are still "one or two" points of disagreement in the potential deal.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a news conference in New Delhi earlier, said "significant" but "not final" progress had been made.

Rubio also suggested we might hear another announcement from US President Donald Trump later today.

It comes after Trump last night stated that a deal with Iran had been "largely negotiated".

The US president said the Strait of Hormuz would be included in a potential deal, but did not provide more details - here's why the shipping lane is important.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency says that under draft terms of the US-Iran negotiations, the Strait of Hormuz "will not return" to pre-war status, but adds that ship traffic will return to previous levels

We've not heard directly from US President Donald Trump or Iranian leadership yet today.

We'll keep bringing you the key developments right here on this page, stay with us.

Ghoncheh Habibiazad
Senior reporter, BBC Persian

Image source, WANA/Reuters

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has said today that "no decision” will be made without the “permission” of Iran’s third Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

It comes after a hardline Iranian MP, Kamran Ghazanfari, criticised Pezeshkian earlier this week and accused him of accepting the ceasefire "without the permission" of Khamenei.

Khamenei, 56, has not appeared publicly since becoming supreme leader on 8 March. Instead, according to Iranian outlets, he has issued several written statements.

Though, several senior Iranian officials, including Pezeshkian, have reportedly met him in recent weeks.

While Khamenei has maintained Iran’s position of criticising the US and Israel in the written messages attributed to him, he has not specifically commented on the current talks.

There have been speculations about the supreme leader's state of health, following reports on injuries in the attack that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, on 28 February.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth previously said that Khamenei had been "likely disfigured", which has been denied by Iran's health ministry.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reports that disagreement remains between the US and Iran over "one or two" clauses of a potential agreement.

It says that, as a result of "obstruction by the US" on these points, the matter has not yet been finalised.

The news agency says mediator Pakistan has been informed of Iran's stance, and that the agreement cannot be finalised if "US obstruction continues".

Fars, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-linked news agency, reports these sticking points relate to frozen Iranian assets and sanctions on oil and related substances.

The US and Israel launched a join attack on Iran on 28 February.

They targeted Iran's missile infrastructure, military sites and leadership in the capital, Tehran, and across the country.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led the country since 1989, was killed during the first wave of strikes. Israel's military say dozens more senior figures in the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were also killed.

Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was named as his successor on 8 March.

Other high-ranking Iranian officials killed include security chief Ali Larijani, intelligence minister Esmail Khatib and the head of the paramilitary Basij force, Gholamreza Soleimani. Israel says it targeted them in air strikes.

The US and Israel have also targeted key sites linked to Iran's nuclear programme - which Iran insists is entirely peaceful - and Iranian oil and gas sites - including Kharg Island, home to a major oil terminal that is considered Iran's economic lifeline.

News site Axios reports that the US-Iran deal involves a 60-day ceasefire extension, the Strait of Hormuz reopening and negotiations being held on curbing Iran's nuclear programme.

Citing a US official, it says the deal includes:

• The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz during this period, with no tolls and Iran agreeing to clear any mines
• The US lifting its blockade on Iranian ports and issuing some sanction waivers on Iranian oil
• Draft commitments from Iran to never pursue nuclear weapons, and to negotiate over its nuclear enrichment programme
• The US to negotiate on lifting sanctions and unfreezing Iranian funds
• US forces to stay in the region during the 60-day period, only withdrawing once a final deal is reached

The deal could be extended beyond 60 days by mutual consent, Axios says. The BBC has not been able to independently verify these reports.

The New York Times also reports that the proposal includes an apparent commitment by Tehran to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, citing two US officials.

Image source, Getty Images

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, says she welcomes "progress" in US-Iran talks, adding that "Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon".

She says in a statement on X that a deal must "truly de-escalate" the conflict and guarantee "toll-free full freedom of navigation" for the Strait of Hormuz.

Von der Leyen adds that Iran must "end its destabilising actions in the region", both directly and through its proxies, and also stop its "repeated attacks" on neighbouring Gulf states.

"Europe will continue working with international partners to seize this moment for a lasting diplomatic solution," she adds.

More now from Tasnim, Iran's semi-official news agency, that is reporting details of an alleged agreement between with US and Iran.

It says Iran has made no commitments in the draft resolution to hand over any of its nuclear material, despite what is claims are western media reports to the contrary.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-related news agency reports that the negotiations on the nuclear issue have been postponed until "after the possible end of the war".

It says the current draft is limited solely to the issue of ending the war, and does not include any details relating to Iran's nuclear programme.

Image source, Reuters

As Marco Rubio says "significant progress" has been made on a possible Iran deal, here's a reminder of how negotiations have played out in recent weeks.

8 April: Pakistan, acting as mediator, announces a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, initially due to end on 22 April.

Trump says the deal is agreed on the condition that the Strait of Hormuz reopens. Pakistan says Lebanon is included. Iran agrees, but the US and Israel dispute this.

11 April: Senior US and Iranian officials, including Vice-President JD Vance and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meet in Pakistan. After 21 hours of back and forth, Washington and Tehran remain far apart on key sticking points.

12 April: Trump announces a blockade of Iranian shipping as Iran continues its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after the failure of the Islamabad talks.

21 April: Trump agrees to extend the ceasefire for an unspecified time so negotiations can continue.

5 May: Secretary of State Marco Rubio says that "Operation Epic Fury" - the name given to the initial US-Israeli offensive against Iran - is finished.

8 May: Trump says the US-Iran ceasefire is still in place despite a clash between Iran and US naval destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz for which both sides blamed the other.

10 May: Iran is reported to have sent a counter peace proposal to the US, including an immediate end to the war on all fronts and an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. The US dismisses the plan as "totally unacceptable"

15 May: The US president says he would accept a 20-year suspension by Iran to its nuclear programme.

18 May: Trump announces on Truth Social he has called off a new attack on Iran at the request of Gulf states, adding that the US was ready to "go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment's notice" if there was no acceptable deal.

23 May: Trump says an Iran deal has been "largely negotiated" and will include reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman says the US and Iranian positions have been converging over the past week, but warns it does not mean key issues will be resolved.

24 May: Speaking from a press conference in New Delhi, Rubio says "significant progress" but not "final progress" has been made on a deal, hinting at further announcements later in the day.

We've just heard US Secretary of State Marco Rubio tell a news conference in India that a deal with Iran could see a "completely open" Strait of Hormuz - but why does this matter so much?

The waterway is one of the word's key trade arteries, through which around 20% of the world's oil passes.

Earlier in the conflict, numerous commercial ships reported attacks in the strait, as Iran blocked the passage in response to US and Israeli strikes.

Since then, many hundreds of ships have been unable to navigate the strait, with more than 20,000 seafarers stuck in the Gulf, according to the International Maritime Organization.

About 3,000 or so ships usually sail through the corridor each month. In 2025, about 20 million barrels of oil passed through the strait per day.

It is deep enough for the world's biggest crude oil tankers, and is used by the major oil and gas producers in the Middle East – and their customers.

Image source, Reuters

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has welcomed "the progress towards an agreement between the US and Iran", adding that it is "vital that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon".

Writing on X this morning, shortly after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke in India, Starmer says: "We need to see an agreement that brings the conflict to an end and reopens the Strait of Hormuz, with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation."

The PM says the UK government will do "everything we can" to protect British people from the impact of the war, adding that he would work with international partners to "seize this moment and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement".