U.S. and Iranian negotiators have reportedly reached an agreement on a 60-day memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at extending the ceasefire and initiating negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. However, according to two U.S. officials and a regional source involved in the mediation efforts who spoke to Axios, President Donald Trump has not yet given his final approval. Iran has also not officially confirmed its acceptance of the proposal.
The signing of the MOU would mark the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the conflict began. Nevertheless, a final agreement addressing Trump’s nuclear demands would still require extensive and intensive negotiations.
“This is an agreement to get everybody to the table. We will work out the details in the negotiations,” one U.S. official said.
According to U.S. officials, the terms of the deal were largely finalized by Tuesday, although approval from senior leadership on both sides was still required.
The officials claimed that Iranian representatives later informed negotiators that they had secured the necessary approvals and were ready to sign the agreement. Iran, however, has not publicly confirmed this claim.
U.S. negotiators reportedly briefed Trump on the details of the proposed agreement, but the president did not immediately approve it. “The president relayed to the mediators that he wants a couple of days to think about it,” a U.S. official stated.
Trump and his advisers had previously believed they were close to reaching a deal at several earlier stages of the conflict, but negotiations repeatedly stalled.
U.S. officials said the 60-day MOU would guarantee that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains “unrestricted.” According to one official, this would mean no tolls or harassment, while Iran would also be required to remove all mines from the strait within 30 days.
The U.S. naval blockade would also be lifted gradually, in proportion to the restoration of commercial shipping, officials said. In addition, the United States would issue certain sanctions waivers to allow Iran to freely sell oil.
Officials stated that the MOU would include an Iranian commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons. It would also specify that the first topics to be negotiated during the 60-day period would include the disposal of Iran’s highly enriched uranium and the future of Iranian uranium enrichment activities.
As part of the negotiations, the United States would also agree to discuss sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian funds.
The MOU would further include discussions on a mechanism to help Iran receive goods and humanitarian assistance.
According to the officials, the agreement would also state that the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon would come to an end — an issue that has reportedly led to at least one tense discussion between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite progress in negotiations, tensions have remained high. U.S. officials noted that the United States and Iran were involved in two skirmishes in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 48 hours, even while discussions were being finalized.
A U.S. official claimed Iran now has an opportunity to revive its economy, saying, “There are people in their system that understand that it is an opportunity to go in a different direction.” The official added, “We will find out during the 60-day negotiations if that’s the case.”
U.S. officials also insisted there would be no secret agreements or hidden clauses regarding sanctions relief or financial transfers to Iran. “The more the Iranians are willing to give, the more they will get,” one official said.
The two officials further claimed that Iranian representatives had provided verbal assurances during negotiations regarding their willingness to make nuclear concessions. However, one official cautioned, “We will not know until we get in the room, which is why we want to do this MOU. It gets both sides into the room to negotiate directly.”
The MOU also reportedly includes references to promoting “regional peace,” with the Trump administration hoping to hold discussions regarding Iran’s support for regional proxy groups.
Officials added that if it becomes clear during negotiations that Iran is unable to meet expectations on the nuclear issue, Trump would retain all available options — including economic and military measures. They also stated that the withdrawal of U.S. forces deployed to the region would depend on a final agreement.
