US-Iran Talks Advance Toward War-Ending Framework as Key Issues Remain

U.S. and Iran move closer to a preliminary war-ending framework as talks focus on Hormuz access, nuclear limits, sanctions relief, and ceasefire terms

Washington and Tehran appeared to edge closer on Wednesday to a preliminary one-page memorandum aimed at formally ending the conflict in the Gulf that began in late February, even as both sides signaled deep reservations and key demands remained unresolved. U.S. officials described the document as a framework that would pause hostilities and launch a 30-day window for detailed talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, curbing Iran's nuclear activities and easing American sanctions, while Iranian voices portrayed the latest American ideas as largely aspirational.
The developments followed President Donald Trump's abrupt decision to suspend the short-lived naval operation known as Project Freedom, which had sought to escort merchant vessels through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. Trump cited progress in negotiations when announcing the pause on Tuesday evening, only to temper optimism hours later by describing any deal as a "big assumption" and warning of resumed bombing at higher intensity if no agreement materialized. The mixed signals came against a backdrop of disrupted global energy flows, with the strait previously handling about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies before the fighting intensified.
According to U.S. officials and sources briefed on the talks, the proposed memorandum of understanding would declare an end to the war and initiate negotiations that could take place in Islamabad or Geneva. During the 30-day period, restrictions on shipping through the strait imposed by both sides would be gradually lifted, while the U.S. would begin a phased easing of sanctions and release of frozen Iranian funds. Many provisions would remain contingent on reaching a fuller accord, preserving the option for Washington to restore its naval blockade or military actions if talks collapsed. Negotiations have involved Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner engaging directly and through mediators with Iranian counterparts.
Iranian authorities confirmed they were reviewing the latest U.S. proposal, with a foreign ministry spokesperson stating Tehran would soon convey its response. A Pakistani source close to the mediation process told Reuters that an agreement could come soon, adding, "We will close this very soon. We are getting close." Yet Iranian parliamentarian Ebrahim Rezaei, speaking for the body's foreign policy and national security committee, characterized the reported 14-point outline as more of an American "wish list" than a feasible text, while parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf mocked the episode on social media as "Operation Trust Me Bro failed."
Central to the discussions is Iran's nuclear program. The memorandum under consideration would include Iran's commitment to a moratorium on uranium enrichment, with negotiators debating a duration of at least 12 years and possibly 15, bridging Iran's suggestion of five years and the U.S. demand for 20. After any moratorium, Iran would be permitted to enrich only to the low level of 3.67 percent. Additional elements under review include a pledge that Iran would never seek a nuclear weapon or conduct weaponization activities, potential restrictions on operating underground facilities, enhanced inspections featuring snap visits by UN inspectors, and the removal of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium—a step Tehran has previously resisted. One option floated involves transferring the material to the United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close Trump ally on Iran policy, emphasized after speaking with the U.S. president that all enriched uranium must be removed from Iran to prevent development of a nuclear bomb. Tehran has long denied any intention to build such a weapon. On the U.S. side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the complexity involved, stating "we don't have to have the actual agreement written in one day" and that "This is highly complex and technical. But we have to have a diplomatic solution that is very clear on the topics they are willing to negotiate on and the extent of the concessions they are willing to make at the front end in order to make it worthwhile." Rubio also expressed doubt about Iranian leadership, describing some top figures as "insane in the brain."
The current round of diplomacy builds on a fragile ceasefire announced in early April, yet it reflects repeated cycles of optimism followed by setbacks. Trump has several times suggested an agreement was imminent since that truce, including a mid-April assertion that Iran had "agreed to everything" regarding removal of enriched uranium, a claim quickly rejected in Tehran. Foreign policy analysts noted the pattern, with one former Middle East policy adviser observing that while the administration clearly believes a deal is possible—evidenced by the rapid launch and pause of Project Freedom—negotiations have collapsed before for various reasons.
Market reactions illustrated the high stakes. Reports of potential progress sent global oil prices tumbling as much as 11 percent before partially recovering, with Brent crude briefly dipping to two-week lows around $98 a barrel, while broader share prices rose and bond yields fell on hopes the energy disruption might ease. Shipping experts, however, reported that Project Freedom had limited immediate effect, with only a handful of vessels transiting in its initial phase amid ongoing risks. Iranian responses to the operation included attacks that likely contributed to the decision to halt it.
Complicating the picture further were reported frictions with regional allies. NBC News, citing U.S. officials, indicated that Saudi Arabia's surprise at the Hormuz escort announcement led Riyadh to deny American use of its airspace and bases for the mission, despite a subsequent call between Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that failed to resolve the matter. Saudi sources expressed support for Pakistani-mediated diplomacy while noting events had moved quickly. Oman similarly conveyed that coordination with Washington came after the public announcement. The U.S. military nevertheless maintained its own blockade, firing on an Iranian-flagged tanker attempting to breach it on Wednesday.
Broader regional tensions persisted. In southern Lebanon, Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli troops and an explosive-laden drone injured several soldiers, prompting Israeli strikes that Lebanese media said killed at least three people. These incidents underscored that any U.S.-Iran understanding would not automatically resolve proxy conflicts or other flashpoints involving Iranian-backed groups. The memorandum as described makes no initial mention of curbing Iran's missile program or support for regional militias, issues Washington has raised in the past.
Experts highlighted structural challenges on the Iranian side, with the White House viewing leadership as divided and consensus difficult to achieve across factions. Some American officials remained skeptical that even an initial memorandum would be secured, noting past instances of premature optimism. Iranian lawmaker Rezaei warned that Tehran had "its finger on the trigger and is ready" absent sufficient concessions. On the technical front, even a signed one-page document would leave highly complex nuclear details unresolved; historical precedent from the Obama-era negotiations required more than 20 months to finalize such specifics.
Trump maintained a forward-looking stance in public comments. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said, "They want to make a deal. We've had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it's very possible that we'll make a deal." In a separate appearance, he predicted the war "will be over quickly" because "We cannot allow them to have a nuclear weapon." Yet he also told PBS it was "unlikely" he would dispatch envoys for further talks in Islamabad in the immediate term, while acknowledging past difficulties with Iran.
The path ahead hinges on Iran's response, expected as early as Thursday according to some regional sources. If the memorandum advances, the subsequent 30-day negotiations would test whether differences over enrichment timelines, uranium removal, sanctions relief sequencing and strait access can be bridged without renewed escalation. Failure would leave both sides able to revert to military postures, perpetuating the limbo of halted hot conflict without resolution.
Analysts such as Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group pointed to an absence of consistent policy process in the current administration, suggesting decisions driven more by impulse have produced inconsistencies. Others, including Mick Mulroy, a former Pentagon official, questioned whether the Hormuz pause stemmed purely from diplomatic progress or practical realities such as the reluctance of roughly 1,500 stranded vessels to transit even under U.S. protection. Grant Rumley, now with the Washington Institute, cautioned that any preliminary deal would be unlikely to resolve all issues given the technical depth required.
As mediators in Pakistan and elsewhere continued their efforts, the episode illustrated both the potential for de-escalation after months of disruption and the enduring obstacles rooted in mutual distrust, divergent strategic priorities and the complexity of verifying compliance on nuclear matters. Global markets, energy consumers and regional actors will closely watch whether the current momentum yields a durable framework or merely another chapter in prolonged uncertainty. The coming days will determine if the narrowing gap on a one-page text can translate into concrete steps to stabilize the Gulf or if entrenched positions will once again widen it.
With reporting by Axios, BBC, Reuters and The Times of Israel.

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