Iran…Trump…Conflict/War…Midday… June 12, 2026…Deal?…

The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Friday that an agreement between Tehran and Washington “has never been closer.” He also called for media outlets to refrain from speculating about its content, after Mehr, a semiofficial Iranian outlet affiliated with hard-liners who oppose a deal, published what it said were details of the agreement. That report included a reference to the United States committing to lift sanctions.

Both sides have sought to frame the deal as favoring their own desired outcomes.

Around the same time as Mr. Araghchi’s post, Vice President JD Vance sought to tamp down concerns among Republicans who are often aligned with the administration on other issues.

“The deal is structured to ensure that the US and its allies concerns are prioritized, and that if the Islamic Republic of Iran meets its obligations, then economic benefits will flow to them and to the entire region,” Mr. Vance wrote on social media.

IRNA, an Iranian state media outlet, had earlier reported that Iran would allow ships through the Straight of Hormuz, the vital shipping lane that Tehran has all but closed since the early days of the war. But the report said that Iran would not relinquish control of the waterway, instead managing it through a partnership with Oman. According to IRNA, the draft also includes Lebanon as part of any permanent end to the fighting and does not cover Iran’s nuclear program, which would be discussed in subsequent talks.

Mr. Trump had called off more U.S. strikes on Iran on Thursday citing progress toward a deal, but insisted on Friday that media reports about details of the proposed deal were incorrect. He did not specify which reports were inaccurate.

“The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing,” he wrote on social media. “What they said, including their weak and pathetic statement on having a deal, bears no relation to the truth.”

Here’s what else we’re covering:

• Israel: While Israel is not directly involved in the negotiations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement late Thursday that he had spoken with Mr. Trump, who had given assurances that restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program would be part of a “final agreement” with Tehran.

• Lebanon: Israeli airstrikes continued in southern Lebanon on Friday, as the long-running conflict with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, showed few signs of letting up. Read more ›

• Markets: Oil prices fell and stocks rallied on Friday after President Trump called off plans for another day of strikes on Iran. Read more ›

Despite repeated U.S.-brokered efforts to halt the fighting, the conflict has become a critical stumbling block for Mr. Trump as he tries to negotiate a broader deal with Tehran to end a wider regional war that has rattled the global economy.

For weeks, Iran has insisted that any deal must include an end to Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, while Israel has resisted efforts to link the two.

That impasse has left Lebanon in limbo.