Following high-level regional consultations, U.S. and Iranian officials are nearing a deal to extend a ceasefire, with President Trump confirming the framework is largely finalized and pending technical conclusion.
Negotiations and Regional Diplomacy
Reuters reports that the U.S. is expected to provide its response by Sunday. President Donald Trump indicated on Saturday that a deal is within reach, having conducted a two-hour teleconference with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt regarding the memorandum of understanding.
Axios journalist Barak Ravid noted that Trump also engaged with Arab leaders—some of whom are urging the U.S. to accept the Iranian proposal—and held a separate, productive discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Key Terms of the Potential Agreement
The proposed deal seeks a 30 to 60-day extension of the ceasefire. Under the terms, Iran would gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz and commit to talks regarding its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.
In exchange, the U.S. would reduce its naval blockade of the strait, relax sanctions, and partially unfreeze Iranian assets. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, currently in India, emphasized that Iran must divest its uranium stockpiles and refrain from charging transit fees through the strait.
Internal Political Reactions
Top U.S. officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have been summoned to Washington to deliberate on the potential accord. The shift toward diplomacy has been characterized by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai as a tendency toward rapprochement.
However, the agreement has faced scrutiny from within the Republican Party. Senator Lindsey Graham warned that the deal could allow the Iranian regime to strengthen, potentially fueling further conflicts in Lebanon and Iraq through support for proxies.
