US and Iran Near Preliminary Deal to Reopen Hormuz

The United States and Iran are reportedly on the verge of a preliminary agreement to end the nearly three-month-old conflict in the Middle East, with both sides close to finalizing a memorandum of understanding that would reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio tempered expectations by saying negotiations for a comprehensive peace deal could "take a few days," while Iranian officials indicated conclusions have been reached on many points within the proposed 14-point framework. The deal would extend the current ceasefire, which began in early April, for 60 days to allow negotiations on the more contentious issue of Iran's nuclear program. The proposed agreement centers on ending the war and lifting the US naval blockade in exchange for Tehran guaranteeing safe passage through Hormuz, which handles roughly 20 percent of the world's crude oil supplies. According to Iranian officials, the initial draft encompasses ending hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, the release of blocked Iranian assets, the withdrawal of US forces from Iran's vicinity, and the freedom to sell Iranian oil. Crucially, this initial phase contains no commitments regarding Iran's nuclear program. However, a senior Trump administration official, speaking anonymously, claimed Iran has agreed "in principle" to open the Strait and dispose of its highly enriched uranium. If the first phase progresses, nuclear negotiations would follow in the subsequent 60-day period. The Strait of Hormuz remains the central sticking point, as Tehran's control of the waterway and Washington's blockade represent each side's primary leverage. Iran is believed to possess approximately 970 pounds of highly enriched uranium—potentially enough for 10 nuclear weapons—dispersed across multiple underground locations. Iran consistently refuses to discuss its ballistic missile program, which the Trump administration had demanded be limited in range, and demands sanctions relief and the unfreezing of billions of dollars in frozen assets. Critics, including hawkish Republicans, have warned that the emerging deal may resemble the 2015 JCPOA that Trump scrapped during his first presidency. Analysts note that Iran remains deeply suspicious of Trump, citing his record of withdrawing from agreements and targeting its leadership, and is employing a strategy of requiring verified compliance before committing to broader negotiations.