WASHINGTON, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): The US and Iran have signalled that they are moving closer to an agreement aimed at winding down the war in the Middle East, though several key issues remain unresolved.
US president Donald Trump said Sunday that he had instructed negotiators “not to rush into a deal”, a day after stating that a preliminary agreement with Iran had been “largely negotiated”.
In a social media post, Trump claimed the proposed arrangement would be “THE EXACT OPPOSITE” of the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under former president Barack Obama, from which he withdrew in 2018.
“Final aspects and details of the deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly,” Trump said. He added that he had spoken with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, besides separately holding discussions with Israel.
Trump described the understanding as a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE” that still needed to be finalised by the US, Iran and the other countries involved. He also said that if the agreement was certified, the US could end its blockade of Iranian ports, which Washington has used to pressure Tehran during the conflict.
However, neither the United States nor Iran released a copy of the proposed framework, leaving uncertainty over the future of Iran’s nuclear programme and the extent of commitments made by both sides.
While an official said Tehran had agreed to dispose of its highly enriched uranium stockpile as part of the arrangement, Iranian officials maintained that nuclear issues would be discussed separately during negotiations expected within 30 to 60 days.
Two US officials said the proposal included a commitment by Iran to surrender the uranium stockpile, although details would be worked out later. In contrast, three Iranian officials stated that the current understanding only provided a framework for future nuclear talks.
US and Iranian officials indicated that even if concluded, the agreement would serve only as an initial framework leading to further negotiations rather than a final settlement.
The war, which began in late February following attacks on Iran by the US and Israel, has killed thousands, disrupted global energy markets and triggered criticism within the United States.
Trump also said the agreement would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas supplies, which Iran had effectively blockaded during the conflict, causing a surge in global energy prices.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, said the deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, lift the US naval blockade on Iran, halt fighting on all fronts including between Israel and Hizbullah in Lebanon, and facilitate the release of $25 billion in Iranian assets frozen overseas.
In Israel, the announcement reportedly generated concern, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier stated that the war could lead to the collapse of Iran’s Islamic Republic and end Tehran’s nuclear threat.
The Israeli government did not officially comment, although it circulated a statement attributed to an unnamed official claiming that Trump had assured Netanyahu that Washington would maintain its demands regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.
Monday, May 25, 2026