US, Iran edge closer to framework deal amid lingering gaps: Axios

WASHINGTON – 16 April 2026: US and Iranian negotiators made further progress in talks on Tuesday, moving closer to a potential framework agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, according to US officials cited by Axios.

The two sides, with mediation from Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye, have been working to narrow remaining differences in an effort to reach a deal before a ceasefire expires on 21 April.

However, US officials and sources familiar with the mediation cautioned that a final agreement remains uncertain due to significant gaps between Washington and Tehran.

A US official told Axios that President Donald Trump’s negotiating team, including Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and senior adviser Jared Kushner, continued intensive backchannel communications on Tuesday.

They have been exchanging proposals with the mediators and the Iranian officials.

“They were on the phone and backchanneling with all the countries and they are getting closer,” one of the officials said.

Reports are suggesting that Washington and Tehran could return to Islamabad for another round of talks by the weekend, after their first round of discussions in the Pakistani capital ended without a breakthrough earlier this week.

In parallel, a high-level Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, as part of ongoing efforts to facilitate negotiations aimed at ending the war, which has been ongoing since February 28.

Meanwhile, Trump expressed optimism about the prospects for a deal, saying the conflict, currently under a two-week ceasefire set to expire on April 21, could be nearing an end.

He told reporters the war is “very close to over” and that talks may resume soon, potentially leading to an agreement.