Iran War Ceasefire: Tentative US-Iran Deal for 60-Day Extension, but Trump and Tehran Must Still Agree
United States and Iranian negotiators are reportedly close to a preliminary agreement on a 60-day ceasefire extension and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, though both US President Donald Trump and Iran's leadership have yet to give their final approval.
A tentative deal on the table
United States Vice President JD Vance confirmed significant progress toward an agreement with Iran, stating that negotiators have made "a lot of progress" on a memorandum of understanding. However, he cautioned that it is difficult to say when or if President Donald Trump will sign the document. The deal, as reported by Axios citing US officials, would extend the ceasefire currently in effect since April 8 by 60 days and pave the way for substantive negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
It's hard to say exactly when or if the president will sign the memorandum of understanding.
Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief
A central component of the emerging framework is the restoration of unimpeded shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and liquefied gas trade. According to the Axios report, the preliminary agreement stipulates that maritime passage will be restored "without restriction" and free of charges. Iran would be required to clear all mines from the strait within 30 days. In exchange, the United States would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Additionally, the US would grant some sanctions exceptions allowing Iran to sell oil freely, providing crucial revenue for the Islamic Republic.
- War begins; Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, oil and gas prices skyrocket.
- A ceasefire takes effect, though both sides later accuse each other of violations.
- Sources report a tentative 60-day framework deal includes Hormuz reopening and sanctions relief.
- Iran denies formalizing the deal; US Vice President Vance says Trump's approval is not guaranteed.
Unclear confirmation from Tehran and remaining disputes
Statements from the Iranian side have been contradictory, casting doubt on the imminence of a finalized deal. The news agency Tasnim, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that a preliminary agreement has not yet been formalized or confirmed, citing a source close to the Iranian negotiating team. The agency also reported that Iran has not informed Pakistani mediators that the text is ready. Vice President Vance acknowledged that disputes remain, particularly regarding Iran's stockpiles of enriched uranium and the issue of further enrichment.
We're not there yet, but we're close.
Pressure points and parallel sanctions
While diplomatic talks proceed, the United States continues to apply economic pressure. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the Trump administration's patience is "not infinite," attributing slow Iranian decision-making to the need to coordinate among three power centers: the elected government, the Revolutionary Guards, and the religious leadership. Simultaneously, the State Department announced new sanctions targeting what it describes as the backbone of Iran's illicit oil trade—a shadow fleet of hundreds of aging tankers with obscured ownership used to sell crude oil, primarily to China, and directly finance the Iranian military apparatus.
From war to fragile truce
The current diplomatic push comes after months of open hostilities. The war began on February 28, after which Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, bringing ship traffic largely to a standstill and causing oil and gas prices to skyrocket on energy markets. The United States retaliated with a naval blockade of Iranian ports. Despite the ceasefire that took hold on April 8, both sides have recently accused each other of violations, with the US attacking Iranian drones and a base, and Iran launching airstrikes on a US base and the US ally Kuwait.
