US, Iran Reach Tentative Deal To Reopen Strait Of Hormuz, Extend Ceasefire; Trump Yet To Approve

The United States and Iran have reached a tentative understanding aimed at extending their fragile ceasefire and restoring unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, CNN reported on Thursday, citing US officials familiar with the negotiations.

However, the proposed agreement still requires approval from US President Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader before it can take effect.

According to the report, the memorandum of understanding would remove constraints on shipping through the strategic waterway, end a US blockade and open a 60-day negotiating window focused on Iran’s nuclear programme, including discussions over Tehran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The report said the text had been finalised between negotiators, but

officials cautioned that diplomacy remained fragile amid continued military tensions between the two countries.

TRUMP YET TO APPROVE DEAL

The report mentioned that Trump’s approval remains the most critical hurdle for the agreement.

US officials told the network the President was still unconvinced by the current framework and wanted assurances that any arrangement with Tehran would appear stronger than the 2015 Obama-era nuclear deal from which he withdrew during his first term.

Reuters separately reported that four sources familiar with the matter said the proposed arrangement would extend the ceasefire by another 60 days while negotiators attempt to resolve contentious issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Reuters added that the deal would also require Washington to lift restrictions on Iranian oil sales and ease its blockade of Iranian ports.

US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that negotiations were progressing but warned that no final breakthrough had yet been achieved.

“We’re not there yet, but we’re very close, and we’re going to keep on working at it,” Vance told reporters in Washington, according to Reuters.

“I can’t guarantee that we’re going to get there, but right now I feel pretty good about it,” he added.

AFP also reported that Vance later said negotiations had “made a lot of progress” but noted that negotiators were still “going back and forth on a couple of language points.”

IRAN SAYS TEXT NOT FINAL

Meanwhile, Iranian media signalled caution over reports suggesting an imminent agreement.

CNN cited Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency as saying that the text of the deal “has not yet been finalised or made definitive.”

The report added that Tehran had not informed Pakistani mediators that negotiations had concluded.

Reuters similarly reported that Tasnim, citing a source close to the negotiating team, said the agreement had not been “finalised or confirmed.”

AFP added that Iranian sources insisted any peace arrangement would only be complete once formally announced by Tehran and not unilaterally declared by Trump.

Mediator Pakistan is expected to remain involved in the process. Reuters reported that Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday, though the precise significance of the meeting remained unclear.

FRESH MILITARY FLASHPOINTS RAISE TENSIONS

The diplomatic movement came amid renewed accusations of ceasefire violations by both sides.

US Central Command said American forces shot down five Iranian attack drones and struck a ground control station near Bandar Abbas that was allegedly preparing to launch another drone.

Kuwaiti forces also intercepted a ballistic missile fired toward the Gulf nation, which hosts a major US military base.

Later, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for targeting “the American airbase that served as the source of the attack,” though the location was not specified.

Kuwait condemned what it called “the criminal Iranian attacks” involving missiles and drones.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ REMAINS KEY ISSUE

A central element of the proposed agreement is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping corridors.

AFP reported that under the draft arrangement, Iran would remove mines within 30 days, while commercial vessels would be allowed unrestricted passage without tolls or harassment.

The US, in turn, would lift its naval blockade if maritime traffic normalises.