US, Iran Reach New Deal To Extend Ceasefire

U.S. and Iranian negotiators have reportedly reached a draft 60-day memorandum of understanding aimed at extending the ceasefire and opening formal talks on Iran’s nuclear program. According to U.S. officials and a regional mediator cited by Axios, President Donald Trump has not yet approved the agreement, and Iran has also not publicly confirmed acceptance.

Officials describe the proposed memorandum as an initial framework rather than a final peace settlement. One U.S. official said the goal is to bring both sides into structured negotiations, noting that the document is intended to “get everybody to the table” while details are worked out during the 60-day period.

According to U.S. sources, most of the technical terms were agreed upon earlier in the week, but final authorization from senior leadership on both sides was still required. While U.S. negotiators said Iran later signaled it had internal approval to proceed, Tehran has not officially confirmed its position.

The draft was presented to President Trump, who reportedly asked for additional time before making a decision. A U.S. official said the president told mediators he wanted “a couple of days to think about it,” highlighting that final approval remains uncertain.

Under the reported framework, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would be declared “unrestricted,” eliminating tolls and harassment. Iran would also be required to remove any naval mines from the area within 30 days, while adjustments to the U.S. naval presence would depend on the restoration of safe commercial traffic.

The memorandum also includes commitments from Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons, alongside early negotiation priorities such as managing highly enriched uranium stockpiles and defining enrichment limits. The U.S. would consider sanctions relief, frozen asset discussions, and potential humanitarian trade mechanisms during the talks, while maintaining that no side deals or secret provisions would be included in the agreement.

Here’s what happened today:

• U.S. Treasury Reinstates Sanctions on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese Following Legal Review
• Trump Says Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Open to All Nations, Sanctions on Iran to Stay in Place
• White House Rejects Iranian Report of Draft U.S.-Iran Deal on Hormuz, Calls It “Complete Fabrication”
• The Israeli military has declared all territory south of Lebanon’s Zahrani River a combat zone, ordering residents to evacuate north immediately amid escalating clashes with Hezbollah forces.