American sources report that talks between Washington and Tehran are approaching a final draft of a memorandum of understanding that would provide for a 60-day cessation of hostilities to create conditions for substantive negotiations. However, an official announcement and the details of the agreement have not yet been released. U.S. President Donald Trump, on his Truth Social platform, emphasized that the naval blockade of Iranian ports and ships in the Strait of Hormuz will remain fully in effect until the agreement is formally signed. He urged both sides "not to rush and to do it right."
According to Reuters, a senior U.S. official said that Iran has agreed "in principle" to the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. In return, the U.S. promises to lift the naval blockade and ensure the disposal of highly enriched uranium. Sources say that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei approved the overall framework of the agreement. However, there has been no official confirmation from Tehran, and the phrase "in principle" leaves room for maneuver. The main dispute now concerns not the refusal to dispose of the uranium but the mechanism for its destruction.
The Trump team, according to The Washington Post, is emphasizing economic incentives: large post-war investments and phased sanctions relief provided Iran complies with nuclear constraints. The proposal calls for the immediate and free reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and for Iran to renounce developing nuclear weapons. In return, the U.S. is prepared to halt hostilities, unfreeze Iranian assets, and gradually lift sanctions. A "reward-for-compliance" principle has been introduced, where each concession by Tehran would be immediately rewarded.
Iranian media, including Tasnim and Fars, show that Tehran is extremely concerned about the issue of unfreezing frozen assets. Sources say that Iran insists on partial release of funds already at the first stage, and without this the agreement is impossible. The U.S., according to Tasnim, continues to block some items, especially those related to finance. A possible compromise includes the temporary lifting of sanctions on oil, gas and petrochemical exports for the duration of the talks.
In Washington they expect that final Iranian consent may take a few days. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the nuclear agreement will require time to resolve technical issues but could become the beginning of the process Trump seeks. However, critics including Mike Pompeo and some Democrats warn that the new deal is little different from the 2015 nuclear agreement from which Trump withdrew. The New York Times adds that the fate of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium is unresolved and will be deferred to the next round.
Iran has more than 440 kg of uranium enriched to 60%, which brings it nearly to weapons-grade (90%), according to the IAEA. Iranian sources allow for the possibility of future reductions in enrichment under agency supervision. On the diplomatic front, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif fueled speculation by saying he hopes to host the next round of talks "very soon." An official announcement and specific mechanisms on assets and nuclear commitments remain the decisive factors for the fate of this potential agreement.
Comments on the news
How strategically important is the Strait of Hormuz for Iran’s economy and why is its blockade such a powerful tool of pressure? - The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage through which about 20–25% of the world’s oil shipments pass. For Iran it is the "oil throat": all Iranian oil exports, as well as a significant share of liquefied natural gas, transit through it. Blocking the strait (or threatening to) allows Iran to instantly trigger a spike in global energy prices, damage the economies of importing countries (China, India, Japan, South Korea, EU countries) and gain leverage in negotiations. In addition, control over the strait enhances Iran’s regional influence, since any escalation in this corridor affects the interests of the U.S., Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
What role does Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei play in decisions about the nuclear program and why is his approval so important for the deal? - According to Iran’s Constitution, the Supreme Leader is the commander-in-chief and the highest arbiter of all state affairs, including the nuclear program. Ali Khamenei controls the Expediency Discernment Council and the Supreme National Security Council, which approve the parameters of negotiations. Without his direct "red line" (for example, requirements on uranium enrichment or sanctions relief) no deal can be signed or ratified. In 2015 it was his tacit approval that made the JCPOA possible, and after the U.S. withdrawal his veto blocks any concessions. Therefore any agreement that does not meet his criteria will be immediately rejected by the Iranian establishment.
What are the Iranian media outlets Tasnim and Fars? What is their political weight and how much do they reflect the official position of authorities? - Tasnim and Fars are semi-official news agencies close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and conservative circles. They are not government media (unlike state television IRIB), but their editorial policy is closely coordinated with senior state bodies, especially on security, foreign policy and the nuclear program. Both agencies often publish statements that later become the official line — for example, threats toward Israel or comments on talks with the IAEA. Their political weight is high: they shape the narrative inside Iran (particularly among hardline supporters) and serve as a channel for signals to the international community. However, they should not be considered fully independent — they consistently support the Supreme Leader’s and IRGC’s course, which makes them reliable indicators of the official position but not alternative sources.
Full version: حتى اللحظات الأخيرة.. غموض يلفّ تفاصيل اتفاق واشنطن وطهران