President Trump claims productive talks are underway with Iran (involving figures like Vance and Rubio) and has shared a 15-point ceasefire plan via intermediaries, including Pakistan offering to host negotiations. Iran denies direct talks, calling it the US "negotiating with itself," and has opened the Strait of Hormuz to non-hostile ships while raising stakes. Trump has postponed strikes on Iranian power plants and touts a "significant gift" tied to the waterway