Iran live updates: Iran's internet blackout partially lifted after 87 days

The White House addressed reports on an initial memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran on Wednesday, saying that negotiations are "proceeding nicely" and that the president would only make a deal "which must ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."

"As President Trump has said, negotiations are proceeding nicely and he has made his redlines clear. President Trump will only make a good deal for the American people, which must ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon," White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said in a statement when asked about the reports.

Despite the latest U.S. strikes in Iran, talks toward an initial agreement to end the war continued in Doha on Tuesday, with a high-level Iranian delegation and Qatari mediators meeting in the city and the Trump administration's negotiators participating from afar, according to two U.S. officials.

Officials and mediators say that Iran and the U.S. are working to reach an agreement on an initial memorandum of understanding that would end the conflict and gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz while nuclear issues were negotiated.

Although the memo would allow for nuclear negotiations to take place over at least 60 days, the Trump administration still wants to see Iran agree to some big-picture commitments before signing onto the framework, U.S. officials say.

Iran, meanwhile, continues to try to maximize economic incentives to be included in the initial phase of the agreement -- including pushing for the release of frozen Iranian assets, the U.S. officials added.

Another factor is the situation in Lebanon. Iran -- which has insisted Israel's fight against Hezbollah was part of the initial ceasefire deal -- is adamant that the memo should end the conflict there. However, the Trump administration has so far indicated it will continue to back Israel's right to defend itself from Hezbollah.

The internet blackout in Iran has been partially lifted after 87 days of a nationwide blackout.

"Following the mission of the esteemed President and in line with the government's promise, the first step towards free and regulated access to cyberspace has been taken," Mohammad Reza Aref, the first vice president of Iran, said in a statement Tuesday.

Adding, "With the reopening of the internet, smart services will be facilitated, the demands of the people who stood by the system and Iran will be met, and the obstacles to knowledge-based development and scientific authority will be removed."

U.S. forces on Monday launched what U.S. Central Command described as "self-defense strikes" in southern Iran.

"U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces," CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said in a statement. "Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire."