Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran and Washington are only “a few days” away from signing an initial agreement aimed at ending the war and launching negotiations on a broader settlement. While US President Donald Trump has described a deal as imminent, Iranian officials insist that no final text has yet been approved and that the proposed memorandum remains under review by Iran’s decision-making bodies.
Speaking on Iran’s IRINN news channel, Araqchi said the two sides had reached the final stages of discussions on a 14-point memorandum of understanding and that an announcement could come within days. According to the minister, the agreement would begin a 60-day negotiating period focused on securing a comprehensive settlement, with the option of extending the talks. If no final agreement is reached, both sides would be free to return to their previous positions.
Iranian state media say the draft prioritises ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and releasing frozen Iranian assets. Araqchi said the complete lifting of the US naval blockade on Iran forms the first clause of the agreement, while frozen overseas assets would be released and protected from being frozen again. The memorandum would also include a post-war reconstruction plan aimed at supporting Iran’s economy.
The most contentious issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief, would be postponed until the second phase of negotiations. Araqchi said the future of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles would be determined during talks on a final agreement, while Tehran maintains that any highly enriched uranium should only be diluted inside Iran. IRNA also reported that Iran would not accept new nuclear commitments in the initial memorandum and would preserve its right to enrichment.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key element of the proposed deal. Araqchi said Iran and Oman are preparing a new mechanism for navigation through the strategic waterway, adding that Iran’s military presence there would remain unchanged. He said the legal framework and governance arrangements for the strait would be negotiated during the 60-day period.
The reported memorandum also calls for an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon. Araqchi said the ceasefire arrangements would cover Hezbollah and include commitments by both Iran and the US not to initiate future conflicts or resort to threats and the use of force. He added that Iran has demanded Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas in Lebanon as part of efforts to end the war.
Iranian officials continue to stress caution despite the progress in negotiations. Araqchi acknowledged that implementation could prove difficult and said Tehran would suspend talks on a final settlement if the terms of the initial memorandum were not respected. Israeli officials have also stated that Israel is not a party to the agreement and continue to advocate broader restrictions on Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.
If signed, the memorandum would establish a framework for ending the conflict and reopening a pathway to broader negotiations. However, major disputes over Iran’s nuclear activities, sanctions relief and regional security arrangements remain unresolved, leaving the success of any final agreement uncertain.
