U.S. Signals Iran Deal Is 'Very Close' as IRGC Reaches Peak Readiness

The Trump administration characterized diplomatic efforts with Iran as being in their final stages on Tuesday, even as both nations maintain a heavy military posture. Vice President JD Vance stated that the U.S. is 'very close' to an agreement, while President Trump asserted that the United States holds 'all the cards' in the ongoing negotiations. Despite the optimistic signaling from Washington, reports from Tehran suggest that internal deliberations over the current U.S. proposal remain unresolved, pointing to a continuing policy debate within the Iranian leadership. On the ground, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it has reached its 'highest level of readiness' to deter potential strikes. However, this military posturing has not yet disrupted global energy markets; the IRGC reported that 24 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz within the last 24 hours. U.S. officials also moved to calm shipping concerns by confirming with Omani authorities that no maritime tolls are being considered for the strategic waterway. Regional stability remains precarious as Israel continues its campaign in Lebanon, with recent strikes reported in Tyre. While Israel and Hezbollah have reportedly reached an understanding to curb the intensity of their exchanges, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. remains 'more than capable' of resuming military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail. The situation reflects a dual-track strategy of aggressive deterrence coupled with high-stakes diplomacy.