U.S. and Iran officials signal progress in negotiations amid fragile ceasefire

Iran warU.S. and Iran officials signal progress in negotiations amid fragile ceasefirePresident Donald Trump said he would likely decide by Sunday whether to resume attacks on Iran.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00President Donald Trump said there was a "50/50" chance of making a good deal with Iran or resuming attacks on the country. Kent Nishimura / AFP via Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 23, 2026, 1:52 PM EDTBy Alexandra Marquez, Keir Simmons and Julie TsirkinOfficials from the U.S. and Iran appear to be nearing a deal to end the ongoing conflict, according to public statements from officials from both nations Saturday.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.A potential deal would come after a fragile, almost two-month ceasefire between the two nations and weeks of negotiations.Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in India on Saturday that “there may be news later today” regarding Iran, though he didn’t specify what the news might be.Add NBC News to GoogleVance says U.S. has been 'as clear as possible' with Iran during negotiations03:01Also on Saturday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told state media that “we are very far from and very close to an agreement.” He added that the positions of the U.S. and Iran in negotiations “have become closer, but not to the point of an agreement rather to the point where a solution may be possible.”President Donald Trump was expected to hold a call at 1 p.m. ET today with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan and Pakistan to discuss the situation with Iran, according to three regional officials with knowledge of the talks.But in a phone call Saturday with Axios, the president resumed previous threats against Iran that have made the ongoing ceasefire tense at times. Trump told the news outlet there was a “50/50” chance of making a “good” deal or “blow[ing] them to king...