diplomacyThursday, May 28, 202654 sources

US and Iran Reach 60-Day Ceasefire Deal Pending Trump Approval

The United States and Iran have tentatively agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, including provisions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin nuclear negotiations, but the deal requires formal approval by President Donald Trump. The agreement faces skepticism from Iran, which has not finalized the deal and questions US intentions. Trump has scheduled a meeting in the White House Situation Room to make a final determination.

The agreement, reported by 30 news outlets, includes a memorandum of understanding to prolong the ceasefire and launch negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. The deal also involves Iran removing mines from the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days and the US waiving sanctions on Iranian oil. Tehran, however, has expressed skepticism, with Iranian officials stating the agreement is not finalized and questioning US motives. The ceasefire has been fragile, with both sides engaging in military strikes and accusations of violations, complicating the fragile peace process. Tehran says the agreement is not finalized and demands the release of $12 billion in frozen assets as a condition for further negotiations. Washington says the deal remains subject to Trump’s approval and that no money will be exchanged until further notice. The ceasefire, which began in April, has seen intermittent strikes, with the US launching targeted attacks on Iran and Iran retaliating. Analysts note the deal is a significant step toward peace but falls short of Trump’s earlier demands for 'unconditional surrender' and the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program. The deal has drawn mixed reactions. While some outlets highlight the potential for easing global energy prices and reducing military escalation, others note the political risks for Trump, including backlash from hardline Republicans and the potential impact on his approval ratings. The situation remains fluid, with Trump’s final decision pending and the fragile ceasefire under constant threat.

Where Sources Diverge

Some sources report that the agreement includes a memorandum of understanding to prolong the ceasefire and launch negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, while others note that the deal remains subject to Trump’s approval.

the-hindu

The U.S. and Iran have reached a tentative agreement to extend a ceasefire for 60 days.

scmp

A tentative agreement has been reached in the ongoing negotiations with Iran, US sources confirmed, though they stressed that the deal has not yet been finalized and remains subject to formal approval by US President Donald Trump.

There are conflicting reports on the specifics of the agreement, including the exact terms of the ceasefire extension and the conditions for nuclear talks.

euronews

The draft memorandum includes unrestricted Hormuz shipping, Iran removing mines within 30 days and US sanctions waivers on Iranian oil, with nuclear talks to follow.

dawn

The emerging framework, while averting military escalation, would at this stage fall far short of Trump’s earlier demand for 'unconditional surrender' and his vow to dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme.

Timelines

Sources

IndependentNew York TimesMay 30, 04:28 PM
Middle East on Edge as Trump Mulls Decision About Iran Deal

The president has wavered on whether to move ahead with an agreement with Iran to end the war. On Friday, he vowed to make a “final determination” soon.

PublicBBC WorldMay 30, 03:39 PM
No deal announced after Trump meeting to make 'final determination' on Iran

The US president met his advisers, after officials confirmed the US and Iran had agreed a framework of a deal.

IndependentDawnMay 30, 08:09 AM
Iran says ‘nothing final’ as Trump weighs deal

• US president demands Iran never develop nuclear weapons, wants Hormuz opened without tolls • Tehran rejects Trump’s language, demands release of $12bn in frozen assets • Araghchi accuses US of excessive, shifting demands; Baqaei says no N-talks currently taking place • Vance says ‘lot of progress’ made in talks even as both sides trade barbs over truce violations • Washington denies Iran claim of destroying US plane in Bushehr WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump met advisers in the White House Situation Room for about two hours on Friday as he considered a potential agreement with Iran, though Tehran insisted there was still “no final agreement” on ending the Middle East war. A report from Iran’s Fars news agency also rebutted several key elements of Trump’s characterisation of the deal, citing informed sources as calling his remarks a “mixture of truth and lies”. US sources had told AFP the deal was just waiting on Trump’s sign-off following weeks of halting negotiations to end a conflict that had engulfed the Middle East and shaken the global economy. “I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determinat­ion,” Trump said in a leng­thy social media post before the session, reiterating long-held demands that Iran agree never to have nuclear weapons and must open the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, however, told state media that the Islamic republic “said goodbye to the language of ‘must’ 47 years ago”. “Regarding the understanding… exchanges of messages are continuing, but no final agreement has been reached yet,” he added. In his post, Trump said Tehran would remove mines in the Strait of Hormuz and end its blockade of the waterway with “no tolls”, while the US would lift its parallel blockade of Iranian ports, and the two countries would coordinate on removing and destroying Iran’s enriched uranium. He also said “no money will be exchanged, until further notice”. Fars, however, cited Iranian sources as saying that Tehran was demanding “the immediate release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets”, and that “until this payment is made, Iran will not move to the next phase of negotiations”. As for the toll-free reopening of Hormuz, they said, “no such clause appears in the text of the agreement”, while the comment on destroying Iran’s nuclear material “is fundamentally baseless”. Baqaei also told state TV that there were currently “no negotiations” taking place on Iran’s nuclear programme. Earlier Iran’s parliament speaker, who led its delegation at peace talks with the US in Pakistan last month, said Tehran had gained leverage not “through talks, but through missiles”, and was sceptical of US promises. “We place no trust in guarantees or words; only actions matter,” Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X. ‘A lot of progress’ Hopes of an agreement had risen on Thursday after US officials were positive about the direction of diplomacy, with Vance telling reporters “a lot of progress” had been made. The optimism boosted US and Asian stock markets on Friday, while oil prices receded slightly. Energy markets have whipsawed this week as investors parse the chances of an agreement that could potentially resume normal shipping through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Washington and Tehran have accused each other of violating the truce in and around the strait as recently as this week, with US strikes on the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas countered by retaliatory Iranian fire. Iranian state TV said on Friday that 24 ships had transited the strait in the past 24 hours, in coordination with the Revolutionary Guards and the foreign ministry. But it warned that “ships from hostile countries face a severe response” from Iran’s military. ‘US aircraft destroyed’ Earlier, Iran’s state TV said on Friday that a US aircraft was destroyed in Iran’s Jam governorate in Bushehr, citing its governor Masoud Tangestani, with no confirmation from the United States. However, the US military said no American aircraft were shot down near Bushehr, Iran, despite a claim made on Iranian state TV. “No US aircraft were shot down. All US air assets are accounted for,” the US Central Command said in a post on X. Iran president thanks Pakistan Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian “thanked Malaysia for its humanitarian stance and Pakistan for its initiative and effective efforts to reach an agreement” to end the US-Israel war on his country. In a post on X, Pezeshkian said that in his conversations with the prime ministers of Malaysia and Pakistan, he had emphasised “Iran’s commitment to diplomacy”. “Iran’s policy is to expand cooperation with Muslim and neighbouring countries in all fields,” he added. Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2026

IndependentJakarta PostMay 30, 06:45 AM
Trump insists on red lines as Iran deal remains elusive - The Jakarta Post

Trump insists on red lines as Iran deal remains elusive  The Jakarta Post

IndependentThe HinduMay 30, 06:29 AM
Trump ponders whether to move forward with Iran deal but hasn't yet decided

The official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Mr. Trump would only sign a deal that “satisfies his redlines” and curbs Iran’s nuclear ambitions

IndependentThe HinduMay 30, 05:54 AM
Israel-Iran war LIVE: Trump insists on red lines as Iran deal remains elusive

U.S. hails ‘productive’ talks between Israel and Lebanon military officials

IndependentStraits TimesMay 30, 04:26 AM
Trump insists on red lines as Iran deal remains elusive - The Straits Times

Trump insists on red lines as Iran deal remains elusive  The Straits Times

IndependentStraits TimesMay 30, 01:54 AM
Trump says making final decision on Iran deal - The Straits Times

Trump says making final decision on Iran deal  The Straits Times

PublicFrance 24May 30, 12:55 AM
Trump says he’s making final decision on Iran deal as Tehran slams ‘mixture of truth and lies’

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he would be making a final decision on a potential deal to end the US-Israeli war against Iran ahead of a high-security meeting in the White House Situation Room. But after more than two hours of deliberations, no decision has yet been forthcoming.

StateTASSMay 30, 12:09 AM
Trump says most of Iranian deal provisions already agreed

Having outlined some agreements regarding Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and other issues, the US leader added that "other items, of far less importance, have been agreed to"

PublicBBC WorldMay 29, 11:32 PM
Trump holds meeting to make 'final determination' on Iran deal

The US president met his advisers, after officials confirmed the US and Iran had agreed a framework of a deal.

IndependentThe GuardianMay 29, 09:33 PM
Trump claims to be on verge of approving peace deal with major Iranian concessions

Tehran denies deal has been reached that would open strait of Hormuz and eliminate country’s nuclear programme Donald Trump has claimed he could approve an Iran peace deal on Friday that contains major concessions from Tehran, including the opening of the strait of Hormuz and the elimination of the country’s nuclear programme. However, top Iranian officials signalled a final agreement had not been reached. The two versions indicate Trump may once again be practising his “art of the deal” as he seeks to talk his way out of a war that has disrupted global energy supplies and rocked the world economy. Continue reading...

IndependentAl JazeeraMay 29, 09:10 PM
Trump says ‘final determination’ to be made on possible Iran deal

Deep mistrust remains between Washington and Tehran as Iran's top negotiator urges action, not words.

WireAFPMay 29, 08:31 PM
Trump says now making 'final determination' on Iran deal - France 24

Trump says now making 'final determination' on Iran deal  France 24

IndependentWashington PostMay 29, 08:30 PM
Trump calls a Situation Room meeting to decide on extending Iran ceasefire - The Washington Post

Trump calls a Situation Room meeting to decide on extending Iran ceasefire  The Washington Post

IndependentWIONMay 29, 08:29 PM
'Will be meeting now to make a final determination', says Trump on Iran deal - WION

'Will be meeting now to make a final determination', says Trump on Iran deal  WION

IndependentFinancial TimesMay 29, 07:54 PM
Trump pledges ‘final determination’ on Iran deal to extend ceasefire - Financial Times

Trump pledges ‘final determination’ on Iran deal to extend ceasefire  Financial Times

IndependentThe HinduMay 29, 07:51 PM
Trump to hold high-level White House talks to make 'final determination' on deal with Iran

According to a U.S. official familiar with the matter, the tentative agreement would continue the ceasefire in the 3-month-old war by 60 days and start a new round of talks on Iran's nuclear programme

IndependentWashington PostMay 29, 07:38 PM
Trump meeting with aides to make 'final determination' on moving forward with Iran deal - The Washington Post

Trump meeting with aides to make 'final determination' on moving forward with Iran deal  The Washington Post

IndependentMiddle East EyeMay 29, 07:18 PM
Trump says making ‘final determination’ on Iran deal - Middle East Eye

Trump says making ‘final determination’ on Iran deal  Middle East Eye

WireYonhap NewsMay 29, 07:16 PM
Trump says he will have Situation Room meeting to make 'final determination' on Iran negotiation - Yonhap News Agency

Trump says he will have Situation Room meeting to make 'final determination' on Iran negotiation  Yonhap News Agency

WireReutersMay 29, 07:08 PM
Trump says meeting Friday to make final decision on deal with Iran - Reuters

Trump says meeting Friday to make final decision on deal with Iran  Reuters

WireAssociated PressMay 29, 07:06 PM
Trump meeting with aides to make ‘final determination’ on moving forward with Iran deal - AP News

Trump meeting with aides to make ‘final determination’ on moving forward with Iran deal  AP News

IndependentAl ArabiyaMay 29, 07:03 PM
US President Trump says about to make ‘final determination’ on Iran deal - Al Arabiya English

US President Trump says about to make ‘final determination’ on Iran deal  Al Arabiya English

IndependentStraits TimesMay 29, 06:36 PM
US-Iran ceasefire deal awaits Trump's approval - The Straits Times

US-Iran ceasefire deal awaits Trump's approval  The Straits Times

IndependentBloombergMay 29, 05:23 PM
US, Iran Reach Deal on Extended Ceasefire Pending Trump Approval - Bloomberg.com

US, Iran Reach Deal on Extended Ceasefire Pending Trump Approval  Bloomberg.com

IndependentEuronewsMay 29, 04:21 PM
Iran-US deal nears finish line — but Trump and Khamenei must say yes

The draft memorandum includes unrestricted Hormuz shipping, Iran removing mines within 30 days and US sanctions waivers on Iranian oil, with nuclear talks to follow.

IndependentThe HinduMay 29, 01:42 PM
Iran-Israel war LIVE: U.S.-Iran truce deal awaits Trump as strikes test ceasefire

The U.S. sources confirmed reporting by Axios that the two sides had agreed on a memorandum of understanding to prolong the ceasefire and launch negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme

IndependentAl ArabiyaMay 29, 01:32 PM
Will Trump sign off on Iran deal? - Al Arabiya English

Will Trump sign off on Iran deal?  Al Arabiya English

IndependentAl JazeeraMay 29, 11:04 AM
What’s happening on Iran war day 91 as US, Iran near 60-day deal

US and Iran near a 60-day MoU aimed at reopening the Hormuz strait with talks slated on nuclear and other differences.

IndependentBloombergMay 29, 10:42 AM
US, Iran Agree to 60-Day Extension of Truce Pending Trump Signoff - Bloomberg.com

US, Iran Agree to 60-Day Extension of Truce Pending Trump Signoff  Bloomberg.com

IndependentDawnMay 29, 10:39 AM
Trump's room to manoeuvre narrows as US, Iran close in on framework deal

United States President Donald Trump finds himself in a bind as he seeks to end the war against Iran: he is under pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and get US gasoline prices down, but at the same time faces a potential backlash from Iran hawks in his own party over any concessions to Tehran. Trump’s dilemma became clear during a week of hectic diplomacy marked by word of an emerging framework deal that, according to sources familiar with the matter, would extend a current ceasefire and release Iran’s stranglehold on the vital oil-shipping route while deferring discussions of its nuclear programme. Such an interim agreement, if approved by Trump and Iran’s rulers, would amount to the most significant step toward peace since he joined with Israel in attacking Iran on February 28, and could ease the soaring energy prices the conflict has triggered. But it could also draw the disapproval of a key segment of Trump’s base — influential Republicans clamouring for him to “finish the job” by resuming strikes to close Tehran’s path to a nuclear weapon, his main stated reason for going to war. Earlier this week, some of Trump’s hardline anti-Iran allies responded to reports of a possible deal with criticism, even arguing that he might gain little beyond the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated by former president Barack Obama and scrapped by Trump during his first term. Senior Republicans rarely at odds with Trump, including Senators Lindsey Graham, Roger Wicker and Ted Cruz, urged the president not to compromise. Trump pushed back, insisting he was in “no rush” ​and would only accept a “great” agreement. Caught between the competing demands — a quick solution to high gas prices and an end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions — the president has little room to manoeuvre. “Trump’s rhetorical swings and abrupt reversals of the ​past week suggest a president trying to park a wide war in a tight spot,” said Laura Blumenfeld, a Middle East expert at Johns Hopkins University. A White House official said that “negotiations are proceeding nicely and he has made his redlines clear”. “President Trump will only make a good deal for the American people, which must ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” the official said on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal matters. Unanswered questions Leaks to the media on Thursday about the terms of the “memorandum of understanding (MoU)“ suggest ​the proposed deal leaves many of the thorniest questions unanswered. Those include what the strait’s long-term status will be, what will happen to Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium and the details of potential sanctions relief. The emerging framework, ​while averting military escalation, would at this stage fall far short of Trump’s earlier demand for “unconditional surrender” and his vow to dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran has insisted it is only for peaceful purposes. “If these terms are accurate and if a deal ‌is concluded, ⁠the Islamic Republic appears to be getting more in the MOU than the US,” Jason Brodsky, policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran, a nonprofit policy organisation, said on X. “A pledge for more nuclear talks? Be wary.” Iran’s Tasnim news agency said the text of the agreement had not been finalised. Trump has several times before said a deal was close, and there was no guarantee that the latest effort would succeed where others have not. This week’s diplomatic flurry has played out against the backdrop of a fresh but limited exchange of strikes that has strained the fragile truce between the US and Iran. Analysts say Trump appears to be trying to find a balance between getting Iran to give ​ground on key issues while in return offering only ​limited compromises that will still allow him to ⁠frame the outcome as a win. Getting the strait reopened would be welcomed internationally, but Trump would just be regaining the free flow of shipping that existed before he started the war. Meanwhile, the political and economic clocks are ticking for the president, whose public approval ratings have hit new lows. Midterm elections are looming in November, with his fellow Republicans struggling ​to maintain control of Congress, and new assessments suggest that if the conflict continues, there will be deep damage to the global economy. Trump dismisses midterms Iran appears to be seeking some easing of sanctions up-front to boost its crippled economy, which Trump critics fear he may be unable to resist in pursuit of a war-ending deal. But at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump seemed to respond to his critics by reiterating maximalist positions and insisting he didn’t care about the midterms. His aides have privately expressed concern that high gasoline prices could damage Republicans’ electoral prospects. Iran has shown it is confident it has the upper hand, having proved it can survive the military onslaught and throttle one fifth of the world’s oil supplies, analysts say. “The president gives every sign of wanting this over soon,“ said Jon Alterman of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank. That makes the Iranians dig in their heels. The past week’s whiplash was nothing new for a president who campaigned promising to stay out of unnecessary wars, only to take the US into a foreign entanglement without clearly articulating the rationale. How he decides to end the conflict is expected to be a major factor in defining his second-term foreign policy legacy, analysts say.

IndependentThe HinduMay 29, 08:51 AM
Trump U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Deal: What we know about the 60-day truce

The United States and Iran have reached a tentative agreement to extend a ceasefire for 60 days, although U.S. President Donald Trump has yet to approve the deal

IndependentStraits TimesMay 29, 05:59 AM
Trump's room to maneuver narrows as US, Iran close in on framework deal - The Straits Times

Trump's room to maneuver narrows as US, Iran close in on framework deal  The Straits Times

WireReutersMay 29, 05:57 AM
Trump's room to maneuver narrows as US, Iran close in on framework deal - Reuters

Trump's room to maneuver narrows as US, Iran close in on framework deal  Reuters

IndependentPhilippine StarMay 29, 04:28 AM
US, Iran near deal but Trump sign-off awaited - Philstar.com

US, Iran near deal but Trump sign-off awaited  Philstar.com

PublicNHK WorldMay 29, 01:29 AM
Axios: US, Iran reach deal to extend ceasefire - nhk.or.jp

Axios: US, Iran reach deal to extend ceasefire  nhk.or.jp

WireReutersMay 29, 01:12 AM
US and Iran trade attacks as sources report tentative agreement to extend ceasefire - as it happened - Reuters

US and Iran trade attacks as sources report tentative agreement to extend ceasefire - as it happened  Reuters

PublicRadio Free EuropeMay 29, 01:04 AM
Tentative US-Iran Deal Nears 'Finish Line,' Former Trump NSC Official Says

As conflicting signals continue to emerge from Washington and Tehran over reports of a possible interim agreement, the White House has struggled to clarify whether the US and Iran are actually on the verge of a deal.

IndependentNew York TimesMay 28, 10:30 PM
U.S. and Iran Move Toward Arrangement to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz

President Trump has yet to sign off on an emerging agreement that would extend the cease-fire while they negotiate nuclear and other issues.

IndependentAl JazeeraMay 28, 10:21 PM
US and Iran reach tentative deal for 60-day truce extension, officials say

The memorandum of understanding, which would enable further negotiations, still requires Donald Trump's final approval.

IndependentEuronewsMay 28, 09:51 PM
US and Iran reach tentative deal, pending Trump's approval

US and Iran have agreed on extending the ceasefire by 60 days to make space for further negotiations to end the Iran war but Trump still has to approve the deal, reports on Thursday said, citing US officials familiar with the matter.

IndependentFinancial TimesMay 28, 09:49 PM
Washington nearing deal to extend Iran ceasefire, US officials say - Financial Times

Washington nearing deal to extend Iran ceasefire, US officials say  Financial Times

PublicDeutsche WelleMay 28, 09:27 PM
Iran, US reportedly agree to deal, pending Trump approval

US media reported that American and Iranian negotiators have agreed to resume nuclear talks and allow shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Israel has launched strikes across Lebanon. DW has the latest.

IndependentMiddle East EyeMay 28, 09:12 PM
White House says Iran and US agreed to 60-day ceasefire extension, awaiting Trump's approval - Middle East Eye

White House says Iran and US agreed to 60-day ceasefire extension, awaiting Trump's approval  Middle East Eye

IndependentThe HinduMay 28, 09:04 PM
U.S.-Iran deal on 60-day ceasefire extension reached, but Trump must approve, source says

The tentative agreement worked out by the two sides comes at a moment when the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran appeared to be wavering

IndependentKyiv IndependentMay 28, 08:43 PM
US, Iran reach 60-day ceasefire deal reopening Strait of Hormuz, sources say - The Kyiv Independent

US, Iran reach 60-day ceasefire deal reopening Strait of Hormuz, sources say  The Kyiv Independent

IndependentSouth China Morning PostMay 28, 08:39 PM
Tentative agreement reached in Iran negotiations pending Trump’s approval: US officials

A tentative agreement has been reached in the ongoing negotiations with Iran, US sources confirmed, though they stressed that the deal has not yet been finalized and remains subject to formal approval by US President Donald Trump. Earlier, Axios reported that Trump has asked for a couple of days to consider the proposal before making a decision. The development comes amid a fragile ceasefire first set in April. On Wednesday, the US military launched targeted strikes against Iran. In immediate...

IndependentStraits TimesMay 28, 08:34 PM
US-Iran MOU on 60-day ceasefire extension reached, but Trump must approve, source says - The Straits Times

US-Iran MOU on 60-day ceasefire extension reached, but Trump must approve, source says  The Straits Times

StateAnadolu AgencyMay 28, 07:46 PM
US, Iran reach tentative ceasefire, Trump's approval pending: Report - Anadolu Ajansı

US, Iran reach tentative ceasefire, Trump's approval pending: Report  Anadolu Ajansı

IndependentHaaretzMay 28, 07:12 PM
Report: U.S. and Iran Agree on Truce Deal Pending Trump's Approval, Sources Say - Haaretz

Report: U.S. and Iran Agree on Truce Deal Pending Trump's Approval, Sources Say  Haaretz

WireReutersMay 28, 06:23 PM
US and Iran reach deal but need Trump's final approval, Axios reports - Reuters

US and Iran reach deal but need Trump's final approval, Axios reports  Reuters

IndependentAl ArabiyaMay 28, 06:19 PM
US and Iran reach deal but need Trump's final approval: Report - Al Arabiya English

US and Iran reach deal but need Trump's final approval: Report  Al Arabiya English