U.S. President Donald Trump has said that a largely negotiated memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict with Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, although Iranian media disputed his characterization of the emerging agreement.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said final details of the deal were still being discussed and would be announced shortly. He did not provide further details of the proposed agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global energy supplies, has remained disrupted since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran in February, unsettling oil and energy markets.
Iran’s Fars news agency, however, reported that the proposed arrangement would allow Tehran to manage the strait and said Trump’s assertion that the waterway would be reopened under the agreement was “inconsistent with reality.”Axios reported, citing a U.S. official, that Washington and Tehran were close to an agreement that would reopen the strait without tolls during a 60-day extension of a ceasefire.
Under the proposal, Iran would be permitted to sell oil freely while negotiations continue on its nuclear programme. In return, the United States would lift its blockade on Iranian ports and provide some sanctions waivers on Iranian oil exports, the report said.
Axios and the New York Times reported that the draft framework includes Iranian commitments not to pursue nuclear weapons and to negotiate over suspending uranium enrichment activities and relinquishing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The reports said details on how the stockpile would be transferred or removed would be addressed in subsequent talks.
Trump has repeatedly said the U.S. military campaign was intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran denies seeking nuclear arms and maintains that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes.
Iran said on Saturday it was working toward a memorandum of understanding to end the conflict following talks involving senior Iranian officials and Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, whose government has sought to mediate between Tehran and Washington.
Pakistan’s military described the discussions as encouraging, while sources involved in the negotiations said the proposed agreement was a comprehensive framework aimed at ending the war.
According to sources familiar with the talks, the framework would unfold in three stages: a formal end to hostilities, resolution of the Strait of Hormuz crisis and a 30-day negotiating period for a broader agreement, with the option of an extension.
Trump also spoke on Saturday with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan. Axios reported that the leaders encouraged him to support the emerging framework. The U.S. president said a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had gone “very well.”Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said disputes had eased in recent days but warned that several issues remained unresolved and would require mediation.
Iran has demanded oversight of the strait, an end to the U.S. blockade of its ports and the lifting of sanctions on oil exports, while also seeking assurances against renewed U.S. military action.Iranian officials said the country’s military had rebuilt capabilities during the ceasefire and warned that any resumption of hostilities would provoke a stronger response.
Despite months of conflict, Iran is believed to retain its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as well as significant missile, drone and proxy-force capabilities.