The United States and Iran are reportedly close to finalizing a deal aimed at ending ongoing hostilities, with negotiators meeting in Doha to resolve outstanding issues. However, Iranian officials said there are still obstacles to overcome before the agreement can be signed.
What happened
Top Iranian negotiators, including Mohammed Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, convened in Qatar’s capital to discuss unresolved points with U.S. representatives. The negotiations focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, securing Iran’s stockpile of approximately 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium, and addressing the release of frozen Iranian financial assets.
A draft memorandum reportedly includes a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, a commitment from Iran to immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore shipping traffic to pre-war conditions within 30 days, and a mutual declaration to end all military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. The draft further calls for Iran to reaffirm it will not develop nuclear weapons and to agree on disposal mechanisms for its enriched uranium stockpile. Sanctions and frozen asset releases would depend on Iran’s compliance with these terms.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that while progress has been made, frequent changes and contradictions from the U.S. side pose challenges, and no immediate concessions are being made on the nuclear issue.
President Donald Trump characterized the talks as “proceeding nicely” and linked the potential deal to a broader regional peace initiative involving the Abraham Accords, urging Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia to join the agreement simultaneously. He warned that failure to reach a deal would lead to intensified military conflict.
Meanwhile, Israeli political figures expressed opposition to the deal. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for renewed military action in Lebanon against Hezbollah, rejecting any peace agreements that include halting conflict with Iran’s proxies.
Iranian officials also clarified that while they are not seeking to impose tolls for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a new security and navigation framework developed jointly with Oman will incur costs related to these services. The U.S. has rejected any toll system on the strait, calling it unacceptable for an international waterway.
Why it matters
The agreement under negotiation aims to de-escalate a significant regional conflict that has impacted global energy security through disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route. A ceasefire and reopening of this maritime passage would ease tensions and could stabilize oil markets. The deal’s linkage to the Abraham Accords also signals possible shifts in Middle East alignments if other Gulf states join the peace process. However, Iran’s insistence on strict conditions and Israel’s opposition highlight continuing regional divisions that may complicate implementation.
Background
Hostilities between Iran, the U.S., and their regional allies escalated after a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. The conflict spread through proxy engagements, including in Lebanon. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil passes, has been a flashpoint, with Iran seeking greater control while the U.S. enforces maritime restrictions. Previous diplomatic efforts have faltered amid mutual distrust, but recent talks facilitated by Gulf states have revived hopes for a negotiated settlement.
Sources
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