The United States and Iran are close to agreeing a temporary ceasefire that would end the war for two months. According to press sources close to the White House, Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has approved the general model of a draft agreement for the resolution of the nuclear issue and the end of hostilities. Meanwhile, Donald Trump moves between announcements and impactful social posts and the times remain uncertain.
What does the draft agreement provide?
Second CBS NewsIran has accepted the key condition posed by Washington: in exchange for the lifting of the blockade by the United States, Iran will agree in principle to dispose of the highly enriched uranium. The blockade refers to the extensive economic and trade sanctions regime imposed by the United States on Tehran. The Trump administration is demanding that Iran commit to disposing of highly enriched uranium and to “resolve other nuclear issues” as yet unspecified.
The other key issue of the agreement is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Before the conflict, around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows passed through this strip of land. Cargo traffic in transit continues to be low: according to satellite data, 33 ships have passed in the last 24 hours, compared to around 140 on a normal day before the war.
The draft would revolve around a 60-day memorandum, extendable, to freeze the crisis and reopen the Strait: in this period Tehran should allow the passage of ships without tolls and remove the mines placed. In exchange, Washington would lift the blockade on Iranian ports and grant sanctions waivers to allow Iran to sell oil.
When can the war end?
Despite the progress, final ratification is not imminent and certainly not today. The White House has clarified that the signature of a formal agreement with Iran is not expected today. As reported by Axioswhich cites statements made by a senior US official during a press briefing, “it may take several days for the agreement to be approved by the Iranian leadership.” The senior official stressed that although there is endorsement on the general model, “this draft still has to go through the leadership system”, a process that will require final consideration by the country’s top institutional and religious officials.
Even Donald Trump holds back and claims to have asked his emissaries “not to rush”, reiterating that the US blockade on Iranian ships in the Strait will remain in force until an agreement is “reached, certified and signed”. “Both sides have to take their time, there can be no mistakes.” While awaiting approval, including from supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, a senior US official specified that the agreement does not yet exist and that it could still fall through.
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Sources told Reuters that the agreement could develop in three phases: formally ending the war, resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and launching a 30-day window for negotiations on a broader agreement, which could be extended.
Netanyahu: “Trump reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself”
In his first public response to the pending deal between the United States and Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he received assurances from President Trump last night that Iran’s nuclear program will be completely dismantled and that Israel will maintain freedom of action against military threats regardless of the deal reached.
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— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 24, 2026
“Last night – he writes on
“President Trump and I agree that any final deal with Iran must eliminate the nuclear threat. That means dismantling Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites and removing its enriched nuclear material from its territory. President Trump also reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself from threats on every front, including Lebanon. The partnership between us and our two countries has been proven on the battlefield and has never been stronger. My policy, like that of President Trump, remains unchanged: Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”