US and Iran Signal Significant Progress on Framework to End Conflict and Reopen Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Iran are nearing completion of a framework agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to statements from senior officials and President Donald Trump.

President Trump stated on Truth Social that a deal with Iran has been largely negotiated but emphasized that it is not yet fully finalized. He warned against rushing the process, writing, “Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes.” Trump stressed that any agreement must prevent Iran from developing or procuring a nuclear weapon, describing the emerging deal as “the exact opposite” of the Obama-era agreement, which he said provided Iran with cash and a path to a nuclear weapon.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said significant progress — though not final progress — has been made in the negotiations. Rubio emphasized that the ultimate goal remains preventing Iran from ever possessing a nuclear weapon, stating, “Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon. Certainly not as long as Donald Trump is president of the United States.”

A senior Trump administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that an agreement would not be signed on Sunday because the Iranian system did not move fast enough. The official outlined key contours of the proposed framework: Iran has agreed in principle to open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its naval blockade and addressing the disposal of Tehran’s highly enriched uranium.

The framework is expected to take the form of a Memorandum of Understanding that would initiate a 60-day period for detailed negotiations on remaining issues, including the removal or dilution of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpiles, the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), sanctions relief, and the unfreezing of Iranian assets.

President Trump has maintained that the naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain in full force until a deal is reached, certified, and signed. The blockade, enforced by approximately 15,000 U.S. troops, has redirected over 100 ships, disabled 14 vessels, and allowed 24 humanitarian ships through, according to U.S. Central Command data.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes — is a central element of the agreement. Once implemented, it would allow commercial traffic to resume and enable the release of pent-up oil supplies, including potential new production from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed he spoke with President Trump about the memorandum and upcoming negotiations. Netanyahu expressed appreciation for Trump’s commitment to Israel’s security and stated that any final agreement must eliminate the nuclear threat by dismantling Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites and removing enriched nuclear material from its territory. Netanyahu reaffirmed that “Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”

Phil Stewart, Reuters’ Chief National Security Reporter, noted that the language from Washington is the most positive heard so far, though Iran’s side, including statements from Tasnim news agency linked to the Revolutionary Guard Corps, remains far more cautious and skeptical. Stewart highlighted that several thorny issues — particularly the precise mechanism for handling highly enriched uranium and sanctions relief — could still complicate finalizing the broader agreement.

Both sides are positioning for what could become an extended negotiation phase. U.S. officials have also discussed potential regional benefits, including possible expansion of the Abraham Accords, which could include normalization between Israel and additional Arab states such as Saudi Arabia.

Negotiations continue with both sides proceeding cautiously amid recent military tensions, including exchanges of fire less than two weeks prior.