US, Iran inch closer to deal to end the war: What to know

The United States andIran are closing in on a framework agreement to end their three-month-old war, driven by an intense diplomatic push mediated primarily by Pakistan and Qatar. US President Donald Trump stated that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is"largely negotiated", though he has since instructed his team "not to rush into a deal" while final details are ironed out. 

The developing deal aims to formally transition a fragile temporary ceasefire into a structured, longer-term path to peace. 

Key Elements of the Proposed Deal

Negotiators are reviewing a multi-stage framework or 14-point memorandum of understanding that features the following key points: 

• Ceasefire Extension: The agreement will extend the existing military ceasefire by another 60 days to stabilize the region.
• Reopening the Strait of Hormuz: Iran will gradually reopen the vital maritime trade corridor, clear deployed sea mines, and allow a return to pre-war shipping levels without levying tolls.
• Lifting the US Port Blockade: In exchange, the United States will lift the naval blockade on Iranian ports it established in mid-April.
• Financial and Sanctions Relief: The US will offer phased sanctions relief, waiving restrictions on Iranian oil sales and unfreezing up to $20 billion of Iranian assets held abroad (including $6 billion held by Qatar).
• Nuclear Commitments: Iran faces an apparent commitment to surrender, dilute, or transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Broader nuclear program constraints would be negotiated over a subsequent 30-to-60-day window.

Principal Sticking Points

While a breakthrough is near, US and Iranian officials caution that last-minute disputes could still disrupt the framework: 

• Asset Unfreezing Conditions: The US is demanding that the release of frozen assets in Qatar be directly tied to verifiable progress on Iran handing over its enriched uranium.
• Sovereignty vs. Navigation: While the US and its allies demand unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reports emphasize that Iran intends to maintain sovereign control over the waterway.
• Scope of the Ceasefire: Tehran is prioritizing a cessation of hostilities "on all fronts," insisting that the deal must include an end to the Israeli offensive in Lebanon.

Domestic and International Reactions

The potential deal has prompted mixed reactions across global and domestic political spectrums:

• The White House Vibe: Trump has characterized the probability of a final agreement as a "solid 50/50," concurrently warning that the US is prepared to resume crushing military strikes if negotiations collapse.
• US Legislative Pushback: Hardline Republican hawks have strongly criticized the proposal. Senate Armed Services Committee ChairRoger Wicker and Senator Lindsey Graham warned that a 60-day ceasefire could reward Iranian bad faith and create a security nightmare for Israel.
• International Support: Broad regional and international leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have welcomed the progress, noting that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is essential for stabilizing global energy markets.
• Impact inside Iran: In Tehran, news of the potential deal has brought a significant sigh of relief to ordinary citizens. The country is currently reeling from an estimated $300 billion in infrastructure damage, soaring inflation, and severe shortages of medicine and gasoline brought on by the conflict.