Tehran says a U.S. deal is still elusive
An Iranian official said a deal with the U.S. is still elusive even as Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about the possibility. Getty Images

An Iranian official said a deal with the U.S. is still elusive even as Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about the possibility.

Speaking at a news briefing, the official, who remained anonymous, said "mediators are working hard to narrow gaps between Tehran and Washington." However, he noted that "Tehran's conditions must be met if the U.S. wants Hormuz reopened."

The official went on to claim that nuclear talks will only start after Iran's conditions are met and it won't accept Washington's current demands, which were labeled as "excessive."

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The remarks stand in contrast with those of JD Vance, who told CNN "the president and I both feel really good about the prospect of potentially coming to a negotiated settlement."

President Donald Trump, on his end, noted on Monday that prices were dropping on hopes of a deal. "Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible. It could happen!" he added.

The president also told Axios earlier on Monday that he's in "no rush" to decide whether to resume full-fledged attacks against Iran. "One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush. We crippled them financially. They have no money, no gasoline and their people are getting very tired of it," Trump told the outlet.

Axios went on to note that Qatari mediators are waiting for feedback from Washington and Tehran as indirect talks continue.

"We are talking to them. It's going fine. The problem with them is ... they try and tap" us along, Trump said, noting that "there's less urgency" from Iranian leadership that he expected "but they want to make deal more than they ever wanted."

Also threatening an agreement is a reported U.S. strikes against Iranin Qeshm island. A U.S. official told The Wall Street Journal that the strikes were a "defensive measure" and responded to "Iranians using surface to air missiles against U.S. assets." The outlet went on to note that Washington has been carrying out such actions over the past weeks.

Oil prices climbed on Tuesday after plunging on Monday on hopes of a deal. Brent crude edged up, gaining 0.34% and clocking in at $105.13 per barrel at 7:43 a.m. ET, while West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, climbed 0.89% a $97.32 per barrel at the same time.