US President Donald Trump said Sunday he has instructed negotiators “not to rush into a deal” with Iran, even as both sides signalled progress toward a memorandum of understanding, BBC reports.
The reported framework would extend the ceasefire by 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and set the stage for further talks on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump described the discussions as “constructive” but stressed “both sides must take their time and get it right.”
His remarks came a day after he suggested an agreement had been “largely negotiated,” fuelling speculation that a breakthrough was imminent. Iranian officials also hinted at movement, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei saying the two sides were “very close and very far” from consensus.
US media reports said the deal would defer the toughest issues — sanctions relief, release of frozen Iranian funds, and curbs on Iran’s nuclear ambitions — to later rounds. Some outlets suggested Iran may agree to hand over its stockpile of highly‑enriched uranium, estimated at 440kg at 60 percent purity, close to weapons‑grade.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told state TV Tehran was ready “to assure the world that we are not after a nuclear weapon.”
The talks have divided Republicans. Senator Ted Cruz called the proposal “a disastrous mistake,” while Armed Services Committee chair Roger Wicker warned a ceasefire would render “everything accomplished by Operation Epic Fury” meaningless. But Representative Mike Lawler said the administration had forced Iran into “a real negotiation.”
The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on 28 February, triggering regional conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 per cent of global oil and LNG flows. Prices spiked until an April ceasefire halted Iranian attacks, though Washington maintained a blockade of Iranian ports. Trump insists the blockade will remain “in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “significant” progress had been made, hinting at a “completely open strait… without tolls.” Baghaei confirmed Iran was finalising a memorandum of understanding to enable further talks.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, mediating the negotiations, said recent exchanges were “grounds for optimism” and a positive outcome was “within reach.”
