The United States and Iran are reportedly close to finalising a memorandum of understanding to suspend hostilities, raising hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough after months of heightened military tensions in the Gulf.
Negotiations at critical juncture, Pakistani mediators confirm
According to the Axios news portal, citing American officials, the two sides are nearing a preliminary agreement to end the war. Sources in Pakistan, who have been facilitating the peace talks between Washington and Tehran, confirmed to Reuters that the parties are on the verge of a deal.
“We are going to close this very soon. We are close to the finish line,” a Pakistani negotiator said.
White House awaits Tehran’s response within 48 hours
A deal could be announced within the next 48 hours. The White House is currently waiting for Iran’s response on “several key points.”
“Nothing has been agreed yet, but sources say this is the closest they have come to an accord since the start of the war,” the outlet added.
One-page memorandum outlines a 30-day roadmap
The draft memorandum is said to be only one page long. It has been discussed by the Trump administration’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with Iranian officials, both directly and through intermediaries.
In its current form, the memorandum provides for a cessation of hostilities and a 30-day negotiation period to reach a detailed agreement. That deal would cover the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, limits on Iran’s nuclear programme, and the lifting of US sanctions. Over the course of the month, both sides would be expected to gradually lift the blockade of the strait.
Key provisions of the draft memorandum
- Iran commits to a moratorium on uranium enrichment,
- Iran pledges to refrain from any nuclear weapons-related activity,
- International inspectors are to be granted access to Iranian nuclear sites,
- Iran agrees to an enhanced inspection regime, including snap UN checks,
- The US agrees to lift sanctions,
- Billions of dollars of frozen Iranian assets would be unfrozen,
- Both sides commit to removing restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
White House fears internal Iranian divisions
Axios notes that the Biden — and previously Trump — administration believes Iran’s leadership is fractured, making consensus among rival factions difficult to achieve. Washington is therefore seeking a preliminary agreement to lock in progress. This strategic calculation is said to have prompted Trump’s announcement halting Operation Epic Fury and suspending the Project Freedom mission.
Next round of talks could be held in Islamabad or Geneva
A new round of US-Iran negotiations may take place in either Islamabad or Geneva. However, officials in the Trump administration have cautioned that if the talks collapse, American forces retain the option to re-impose the blockade or resume military action.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a cautious note, saying: “You don’t necessarily have to have an actual agreement in one day. This is a very complex and technically difficult issue. But we need a diplomatic solution that clearly defines the issues they are willing to negotiate and what initial concessions they are ready to make, so that it makes sense.”
