U.S. and Iran Agree to Extend Ceasefire Awaiting Trump’s Final Approval

U.S. and Iran Reach Tentative Ceasefire Agreement

The United States and Iran have reportedly come to a preliminary agreement to extend a delicate ceasefire for an additional 60 days and to start discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. However, President Donald Trump has not yet approved the deal.

White House officials indicated that negotiators agreed on a proposed memorandum of understanding. This information comes from an earlier report, which cited two U.S. officials alongside a regional source familiar with the mediation.

The proposed framework would prolong the ceasefire established in April and create a 60-day period for negotiations focused on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This includes discussions surrounding Tehran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and future enrichment activities.

A U.S. official mentioned that Trump advised an arbitrator to “think about it for a few days” before making a definitive choice.

This proposed agreement could also lead to the resumption of unrestricted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, ban tolls and harassment of passing ships, and require Iran to clear mines in the strait within 30 days, according to U.S. sources involved in the negotiations.

In exchange for these measures, the U.S. plans to gradually lift the naval blockade of Iranian ports as business activity resumes, and discuss easing sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian funds during these talks.

According to officials, the memorandum is expected to include Iran’s commitment to refrain from pursuing nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, significant disagreements regarding Tehran’s uranium stockpile and long-term enrichment capabilities will still need to be addressed in ongoing discussions.

This initial diplomatic advancement comes at a time when tensions have escalated in and around the Strait of Hormuz over the past couple of days.

On Thursday, U.S. Central Command accused Iran of “serious ceasefire violations” after Kuwaiti forces intercepted missiles and drones alleged to have been launched from Iran following a U.S. attack aimed at Iranian drone and missile infrastructure near Bandar Abbas.

The U.S. military reported that its forces intercepted several Iranian attack drones that posed a threat to ships near the Strait of Hormuz and targeted an Iranian ground control point preparing to launch another drone, labeling the actions as “defensive.”

In response, Iran accused the U.S. of breaching the ceasefire and warned of further retaliation if the assaults persisted.

Following the report, it was noted that a final agreement awaits approval from Iran’s top leadership, which includes President Trump and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

Reports from other outlets indicate that while both sides seem to be approaching an agreement, final approval remains uncertain.

During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, President Trump stated that Iran “very much” desires a deal but emphasized that the administration is not satisfied with how the negotiations are progressing.