US and Iranian negotiators have reached a tentative agreement to extend the current ceasefire by 60 days, coupled with a new round of talks on Iran's nuclear program, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The deal requires President Donald Trump's final approval, which has not yet been secured despite the framework being agreed upon at the negotiating table.
The tentative agreement represents the most concrete diplomatic progress since previous talks on a 14-point memorandum in May and subsequent attempts to solidify the provisional Strait of Hormuz reopening. Iran has not publicly confirmed the agreement, maintaining characteristic silence as internal deliberations continue.
Operational changes tied to approval
If President Trump approves the framework, the agreement would implement several immediate operational changes. The Strait of Hormuz would reopen fully to commercial shipping without tolls or Iranian military harassment. The US naval blockade of Iranian ports, operational since mid-April, would be eased or lifted in phases. Iran would commit to removing all mines from the strategic waterway within 30 days.
The nuclear negotiations component focuses initially on disposing of Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpiles and establishing new enrichment limits. Broader measures including sanctions relief or unfreezing of Iranian assets abroad would be negotiated in parallel. The memorandum would run for 60 days and could be extended by mutual consent, though US officials have made clear that military options remain if negotiations fail.
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Fragile ceasefire context
The current ceasefire has held since April despite repeated strains, including the US naval blockade implementation and periodic Strait access disputes. The three-month conflict has effectively closed one-fifth of global oil transit at various points and produced economic pressure on both Washington and Tehran to find off-ramps. However, previous pauses have collapsed over irreconcilable positions on nuclear capabilities and maritime control, with neither side willing to make concessions perceived as fundamental to national security.
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