Negotiators agreed on a 60-day memorandum extending the ceasefire and opening nuclear discussions, pending Trump's final approval.
12:10 PM
The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement on a memorandum of understanding that would extend a ceasefire for 60 days and initiate negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, according to officials cited by Axios on May 28.
The draft agreement was finalized on May 26, with both sides requiring approval from their top leadership. US officials told Axios that Iranian negotiators subsequently confirmed they had secured the necessary approvals and were prepared to sign. Iran has not independently confirmed this claim.
President Donald Trump has yet to give his final approval to the text, according to American authorities who spoke with Axios.
The memorandum establishes that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz will be "unrestricted," including the absence of tolls and attacks or harassment of commercial vessels. US officials said Iran must remove all naval mines from the region within 30 days.
The US naval blockade imposed against Iranian-bound and Iranian-origin vessels would be gradually suspended in line with the resumption of commercial traffic through the strait, according to the agreement's terms.
The document includes an Iranian commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons, described by sources as a red line for Trump. Detailed negotiations on the fate of Iran's highly enriched uranium are scheduled to begin during the 60-day window.
The preliminary accord addresses the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had blocked in retaliation for US and Israeli military operations against Iranian targets.
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