Iran live updates: IRGC says Strait of Hormuz will 'never' revert to pre-war state

The U.S. and Iran are discussing a potential deal that would involve a ceasefire in exchange for Iran re-opening the Strait of Hormuz, sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations confirmed to ABC News.

Vice President JD Vance passed a message to Iran via Pakistani intermediaries as recently as Tuesday, a U.S. official and a Pakistani official confirmed to ABC.

At Trump's direction, Vance signaled privately that Trump was open to a ceasefire as long as certain U.S. demands were met, including the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. official said.

The vice president's involvement was first reported by Reuters.

Vance also delivered a stern message that President Trump was "impatient" and there would be growing pressure on Iranian infrastructure unless the Iranians made a deal, the U.S. source said.

Iran said it will not agree to a temporary ceasefire, calling instead for a complete end to the war across the region. Iran also wants strong guarantees that fighting will not happen again, along with compensation for damage caused to its people, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera Tuesday.

Araghchi said there is little trust between Iran and its opponents, and that serious changes would be needed before any talks could move forward. He added that Iran has not yet decided whether it will enter negotiations.

Araghchi also criticized the U.S. for using deadlines and threats, saying that approach has made tensions worse.

On shipping, he said the Strait of Hormuz is partly controlled by Iran and Oman, and that ships from countries at war with Iran would not be allowed to pass. Other ships can still use the route.

The White House has issued a release detailing the administration's reasoning for the war hours before President Donald Trump is set to address the nation about the Iran war.

"Tonight, President Donald J. Trump will address the nation on Operation Epic Fury - a decisive campaign of American strength that is systematically dismantling the Iranian regime's ability to threaten the United States and the free world," the White House said.

"Under President Trump's leadership, the U.S. military is executing this mission with unmatched power and precision. From day one, the objectives have been clear and unwavering: obliterate Iran's ballistic missile arsenal and production capability, annihilate its navy, sever its support for terrorist proxies, and ensure the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism never acquires a nuclear weapon," the White House said.

Since the war started, the Trump and his top aides have consistently pointed those four objectives for the war.

President Donald Trump will give an "operational update on the progress of Operation Epic Fury" during his remarks to the nation at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, a White House official told ABC News.

Trump will reiterate the two to three week timetable for concluding the operation, the official said.

Trump will "highlight" the military's success in achieving its goals, including destroying Iran's ballistic missiles, annihilating their Navy, ensure terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region, and guarantee Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon, the official said.