The United States has announced what it describes as a preliminary agreement with Iran to extend the current ceasefire for 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, but Iranian officials have swiftly denied that any final deal has been reached. The contradictory claims highlight the deep mistrust and instability surrounding negotiations aimed at ending a devastating three-month conflict that has shaken the Middle East and disrupted the global economy.
According to a senior White House official speaking anonymously, American and Iranian negotiators had finalized a draft memorandum of understanding that now awaits approval from President Donald Trump. The proposed agreement would reportedly extend the ceasefire currently in place, allow unrestricted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and launch negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
However, Iranian state-linked media quickly rejected the reports, insisting that no finalized text exists and that discussions remain incomplete. Officials in Tehran stated that mediators from Pakistan had not been informed of any finalized agreement and accused Washington of prematurely portraying negotiations as a diplomatic success. The White House itself has avoided confirming the exact status of the talks, adding further confusion to an already volatile situation.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed reporters at the White House but declined to confirm whether an agreement had been reached, repeatedly emphasizing that the final decision rests entirely with President Trump. The president’s position remains unpredictable after he previously celebrated progress toward a deal before abruptly reversing course days later.
If approved, the memorandum would represent the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the conflict began following the U.S.-Israeli military operation known as “Epic Fury” launched earlier this year. Yet analysts warn that the framework leaves many of the most contentious issues unresolved, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear activities and the future of highly enriched uranium buried beneath bombed nuclear facilities.
Under the reported terms, Iran would gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints linking the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. The agreement would reportedly guarantee unrestricted passage for commercial vessels and require Tehran to remove naval mines deployed during the conflict within 30 days. In return, the United States would ease its naval blockade of Iranian ports and authorize limited sanctions exemptions allowing Iran to resume oil exports.
The draft agreement would also reportedly include Iranian commitments not to develop nuclear weapons while opening broader negotiations on sanctions relief, frozen Iranian oil revenues, and humanitarian assistance mechanisms. These points appear to contradict recent public statements by Trump, who only days earlier insisted Washington was not considering easing sanctions or returning Iranian funds frozen under U.S. punitive measures.
The diplomatic confusion comes amid continuing military tensions despite the ceasefire officially taking effect on April 8. Only hours before news of the proposed agreement surfaced, both countries exchanged fresh military strikes in the Persian Gulf region. U.S. officials said Iranian forces launched five drones near the Strait of Hormuz, all of which were intercepted and destroyed. American forces later bombed a military installation in southern Iran after detecting preparations for another drone launch.
Iranian forces then reportedly retaliated by firing a ballistic missile toward Kuwait, home to a major American military base. Kuwaiti defenses intercepted the missile, according to U.S. Central Command. The exchange marked the second direct confrontation between U.S. and Iranian forces this week and underscored the fragility of the ongoing truce.
The war has inflicted severe economic and political consequences on both sides. Global energy prices surged sharply after the closure of Hormuz, driving inflation higher across international markets. In the United States, rising fuel costs have become a growing political problem for the Trump administration ahead of crucial midterm elections in November. Polls now place Trump’s approval ratings between 34% and 37%, among the lowest levels of his presidency.
Despite mounting pressure, Trump publicly insisted this week that he is unconcerned about the upcoming elections, even as control of Congress hangs in the balance. A loss for Republicans could severely weaken his legislative agenda and potentially expose members of his administration to investigations or impeachment proceedings.
For now, uncertainty continues to dominate the diplomatic landscape. While Washington appears eager to present progress toward peace, Tehran remains publicly skeptical, and ongoing military clashes suggest that the ceasefire — and any broader agreement — could collapse at any moment.
