The United States and Iran are reportedly moving closer to a temporary agreement aimed at extending the current ceasefire and opening negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, although both sides continue to dispute whether a final deal has been reached.
According to a report published by Axios, US and Iranian negotiators have drafted a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that would extend the ceasefire for 60 days while creating a framework for broader diplomatic talks. However, US President Donald Trump has not yet approved the proposal and is reportedly taking additional time to review its terms.
A US official told Axios that Trump informed mediators he needed “a couple of days” before deciding whether to endorse the agreement.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, rejected reports suggesting the negotiations had produced a finalized deal. Saeed Aghaloo, a member of the Iranian negotiating delegation’s media team, stated that Tehran had neither approved any MoU nor formally informed Pakistani mediators that an agreement had been completed. He also stressed that Iran had made no commitments regarding its nuclear activities during the discussions.
Sources close to the Iranian negotiating team described the draft as still under review and criticized Western media reports portraying the agreement as finalized.
Under the proposed framework, Iran would reportedly guarantee unrestricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, including removing naval mines within 30 days and refraining from imposing transit fees or interfering with vessels. In return, Washington would gradually ease naval restrictions on Iranian ports and issue sanctions waivers allowing Iran to resume oil exports more freely.
The proposed agreement would also include an Iranian pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons, while future talks would focus on Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile and uranium enrichment activities. The White House would reportedly discuss sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian funds, and humanitarian trade mechanisms during the negotiation period.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that negotiations with Iran were ongoing but emphasized that Trump had established several “red lines,” including demands that Iran surrender highly enriched uranium and guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also warned that military action remained an option if diplomacy failed, saying Washington was “not satisfied” with all current terms under discussion.
The negotiations come amid wider regional tensions involving Israel, Hezbollah, and the future of the Abraham Accords. Iran has criticized the accords, arguing they increase instability in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, concerns over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to affect global oil markets, with analysts warning that supply shortages could intensify if tensions escalate further.