U.S.-Iran 60-Day Peace Deal Draft Reached, But Trump Holds Out For Key Edits As Strait Of Hormuz Tensions Flare
WASHINGTON — Negotiators representing the United States and Iran have successfully reached a tentative draft agreement on a 60-day memorandum of understanding (MoU) to extend the current fragile ceasefire and launch formal negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program. However, the proposed diplomatic agreement has stalled in Washington as President Donald Trump requests critical modifications to the terms before signing off.
According to U.S. officials and regional sources close to the mediation process, the proposed 60-day window is designed to halt active hostilities in West Asia and establish a structured diplomatic path toward resolving long-standing nuclear and maritime disputes. Despite this structural progress, President Trump has made it clear that Washington will not agree to a final deal unless several core conditions are strictly enforced.
Source: Verified via Associated Press (AP) Iran CoverageThe Situation Room Meeting: Trump Seeks Stronger Uranium Safeguards
On Friday, President Trump met with national security advisors for two hours in the White House Situation Room. During the session, the President specified several requirements regarding Iran's highly enriched uranium (HEU) stockpile as conditions for a final agreement.
Reports indicate that Trump is requesting specific edits to the draft agreement, asserting that the United States must play a role in coordinating the dismantling or neutralizing of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) data shows that Iran currently possesses over 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a level that remains a short technical step away from weapons-grade material.
Source: Reported by Axios World Desk"President Trump will only sign a deal that protects global security and satisfies domestic requirements," a White House official stated, emphasizing that "preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear capability remains the priority."
However, Tehran has quickly pushed back against some of these demands. Ebrahim Azizi, the Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, publicly stated on Friday that Iran does not intend to transfer its enriched uranium stockpile to any third country, setting up a challenging hurdle for negotiators over the coming days.
Related Coverage on World News 24h
The Battle for the Strait of Hormuz Escalates
The push for a diplomatic breakthrough comes as tensions peak in the Strait of Hormuz—the world’s most critical maritime energy bottleneck. On Saturday night, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters announced that its Armed Forces are now exercising "full authority" over the strategic waterway.
The Iranian military declared that all commercial shipping vessels and oil tankers must navigate exclusively through designated corridors and secure transit authorization from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. The statement warned that any vessel failing to comply with these guidelines would face severe security risks, prompting a swift warning from international maritime watchdogs.
The U.S. government has repeatedly maintained that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and that any unilateral restriction or tolling of traffic by Iranian authorities is illegal under international maritime law. The restriction of the waterway since late February has severely disrupted global shipping routes and triggered major supply concerns.
Source: Verified by regional naval tracking reports via Associated Press Regional IndexKey Developments to Watch
- The 60-Day Window: If approved by both President Trump and supreme leaders in Tehran, the MoU will officially pause active hostilities and allow detailed nuclear talks to proceed.
- The Uranium Stockpile Debate: The ultimate fate of Iran’s 60% enriched uranium remains the central sticking point.
- Strait of Hormuz Status: While the U.S. recently indicated a potential lifting of its naval blockade of Iranian ports, free passage for global merchant ships is still subject to intense negotiation.
Direct Impact on American Consumers: Gas Prices Hit Four-Year High
For ordinary Americans, the geopolitical standoff is being felt directly at the gas pump. According to data released by the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline has climbed to $4.56—marking the highest level in four years.
West Coast drivers are experiencing the heaviest burden, with California’s state average peaking at $6.14 per gallon, followed closely by Washington at $5.78. Market analysts note that while crude oil prices have seen occasional dips on news of peace talks, gasoline prices continue to face immense upward pressure due to the prolonged disruption in the Gulf shipping lanes.
Source: Verified by AAA State Gas Price AveragesWith negotiators in Doha and Washington working to finalize the amendments requested by President Trump, the next 48 to 72 hours are expected to determine whether the region heads toward a managed truce or a wider escalatory cycle.
