28. May 2026
US, Iran Finalize Preliminary Agreement Pending Trump Approval, According to Reports
WASHINGTON — U.S. and Iranian negotiators have reached a tentative agreement aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though President Donald Trump has not yet given final approval to the deal, according to multiple reports and officials familiar with the discussions.
The proposed framework would establish a 60-day negotiation period focused on Iran’s nuclear program while reducing the immediate risk of military escalation in the Persian Gulf, sources briefed on the talks said Thursday.
Under the reported agreement, Iran would allow commercial shipping traffic to move freely through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. In return, the United States would temporarily pause consideration of additional economic penalties during the negotiation window, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the talks publicly.
The White House has not formally confirmed the agreement. Trump was reportedly briefed by senior negotiators earlier this week and requested additional time to review the proposal before making a final decision.
“We’re evaluating a number of options very carefully,” a senior administration official said. “No final determination has been made by the president.”
Iranian state-affiliated media also reported progress in negotiations but characterized the arrangement as preliminary and dependent on further approval from both governments.
The talks follow weeks of heightened regional tensions that raised fears of disruptions to global energy markets and the possibility of broader military conflict. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments, making any threat to maritime traffic a major concern for international markets and allied governments.
Oil prices fell modestly following reports of the tentative agreement, reflecting investor optimism that shipping lanes could remain stable in the near term.
The proposed negotiations would reportedly focus on uranium enrichment limits, international inspections and potential sanctions relief. Details of any enforcement mechanisms or verification standards have not been publicly released.
Trump has repeatedly criticized previous U.S.-Iran nuclear agreements, including the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which he withdrew from during his first term in office. Administration officials have insisted any new arrangement would include stricter terms and stronger enforcement measures.
Democratic lawmakers reacted cautiously to the reports, with some welcoming renewed diplomacy while others questioned whether the administration could secure lasting commitments from Tehran.
Republican allies of the president largely framed the tentative deal as leverage-driven diplomacy designed to pressure Iran into broader concessions.
Neither the White House nor Iran’s foreign ministry indicated when a final decision on the agreement could be announced. Officials involved in the discussions said negotiations remain fluid and could still change before any formal signing takes place.