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World
The United States and Iran are close to a temporary agreement to extend the ceasefire for 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and set a framework for broader nuclear talks.
The United States and Iran are reportedly approaching a temporary agreement aimed at extending the fragile ceasefire in their ongoing conflict, which has lasted three months, by 60 days. The deal also involves reopening the Strait of Hormuz and establishing a framework for wider negotiations concerning Iran's nuclear program, according to American sources.
A report from The Hill indicates that this development could represent the most significant breakthrough toward a lasting peace deal since the war began in late February, although it does not fully meet the objectives declared by US President Donald Trump at the outset of the conflict.
Negotiators are finalizing a memorandum of understanding that still requires approval from President Trump. Meanwhile, official Iranian media have stated that the agreement has not yet been definitively settled on the Iranian side, and tensions remain high.
This week saw a new escalation when the United States carried out what it described as "defensive strikes" in southern Iran. Tehran responded by launching ballistic missiles toward Kuwait. Despite this, mediators continue their efforts to advance the agreement.
According to US sources, the memorandum includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation, with Iran committing not to impose fees on passing vessels and to remove mines from the strait within 30 days. In exchange, the US would gradually ease its naval blockade and grant exemptions allowing Iran to resume oil exports.
The report outlines five key aspects that characterize the emerging US-Iran deal.
US sources confirm that the memorandum will reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, a move expected to alleviate economic pressures on both parties.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a major flashpoint since the early days of the conflict, after Iran closed the waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. This closure caused severe disruptions in global markets and led to spikes in energy and fuel prices.
President Trump stated during a cabinet meeting that "the strait must be open to all; it is international waters," emphasizing that the United States "will monitor it, but no one will control it."
The emergence of details about the agreement coincided with a drop in oil prices. Brent crude fell to about $94 per barrel from $96, while US crude declined to approximately $89 per barrel. This occurred alongside a decrease in fuel prices within the United States after weeks of increases.
Oil prices had surged sharply since the start of the US-Iran conflict following the effective closure of the strait, which strained global supplies and pushed local gas prices to near-record levels.
The proposed memorandum leaves several questions unresolved regarding the future of Iran's nuclear program and its stockpiles, a long-standing contentious issue in negotiations.
Several details remain under discussion. The agreement includes an Iranian commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons development and initiates a new round of talks on uranium enrichment and handling Iran’s stock of highly enriched uranium during the 60-day truce.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Peasants stated that sanctions relief will not occur until Iran agrees to hand over its highly enriched uranium stock. President Trump mentioned the possibility of transferring what he called "nuclear dust" to the United States or destroying it "at another acceptable location."
Conversely, Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Reports cited an Iranian official indicating that Tehran might agree to reduce enrichment levels or transfer part of its stockpile to a third-party country deemed acceptable.
Despite agreement on the general framework, both sides continue to affirm that the deal has not been officially finalized. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the process could take "a few more days," while Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that unresolved issues remain under discussion.
Reports also indicate that releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets remains a major sticking point in ongoing negotiations.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly stated that no major decisions will be made without the approval of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since being injured in an airstrike on the war’s first day.
The prospect of reaching an agreement has elicited mixed reactions among lawmakers in Capitol Hill. It remains unclear whether Congress will ultimately have a say in the outcome. The potential deal has caused division within the Republican Party; some Republicans have expressed concern that any agreement preserving the Iranian regime could undermine the results of the US military campaign, while others have called for giving President Trump time to complete negotiations.
It is still uncertain whether the US Congress will participate in approving the final agreement, amid demands that any understanding with Iran be submitted to Congress for a vote following the procedures established in the 2015 nuclear deal.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee noted that the Iranian Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 "prohibits the president from waiving or suspending existing sanctions before Congress has the opportunity to vote on an agreement, if one is reached, and allows Congress to permanently remove these authorities if it disapproves of the agreement due to a presidential veto."
