Media: Trump says Iran deal near, but backchannel talks tell different story

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested that Washington and Tehran are close to reaching an agreement to end their conflict, most recently stating that a deal could be signed as early as this weekend.

However, Iranian officials quickly rejected that assertion, highlighting the significant obstacles that continue to impede negotiations, Bloomberg reports.

According to U.S. officials, diplomats and people familiar with the discussions, the negotiations are proceeding through a complex network of intermediaries rather than direct talks. Messages between the two sides often take days to arrive, slowing progress and complicating efforts to reach an agreement.

American proposals reportedly pass through Pakistani officials before being relayed to Tehran. On the Iranian side, human couriers are frequently used to deliver messages to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, whose whereabouts are being closely guarded amid fears of assassination following injuries sustained during the conflict.

Communication difficulties have further hindered the process. One diplomat said wartime connectivity issues inside Iran have resulted in WhatsApp messages taking up to 48 hours to be delivered. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also acknowledged the delays, telling lawmakers that it can take “five or six days” to receive a response from Tehran.

The cumbersome format has raised doubts about whether the current channel can produce a comprehensive agreement. “Can you actually have successful negotiations through intermediaries or cell phones? No,” said Aaron David Miller, a longtime State Department adviser on Middle East negotiations.

“Every issue they’re tackling – sanctions, frozen assets, Iran’s nuclear enrichment – every one of those issues contains a universe of detail that would take weeks, if not months, to negotiate,” Miller added.

Analysts and former officials say Iran’s cautious approach may be deliberate. Tehran is reportedly seeking to avoid creating a digital trail that could expose senior leaders or negotiators to potential attacks.

While both sides appear to be discussing a possible halt to hostilities, major issues remain unresolved. Diplomats and Gulf officials suggest that Tehran may also be slowing the process intentionally, betting that prolonged negotiations will increase pressure on the White House to make concessions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev