World June 12, 2026 01:32 PM

U.S. and Iran Said to Be Close to a Memorandum to End Standoff

Washington expects a signing within days on terms that include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and dismantling enriched uranium on site

By Ajmal Hussain
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U.S. officials say negotiations with Iran have brought both sides close to a memorandum of understanding that would address a recent standoff. Washington anticipates signing the agreement within days, with terms that reportedly align with President Donald Trump’s core objectives and include reopening key shipping lanes and removing enriched uranium from Iran after on-site destruction.

U.S. and Iran Said to Be Close to a Memorandum to End Standoff
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Key Points

  • Negotiations between the United States and Iran are reportedly near a memorandum of understanding, with Washington expecting to sign within days.
  • Reported terms include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, and destroying Irans highly enriched uranium on site before removal.
  • Sectors likely to be affected include maritime trade and energy shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and defense and nuclear oversight related to the handling of enriched uranium.

U.S. and Iranian negotiators are reportedly nearing agreement on a memorandum of understanding intended to resolve the recent dispute between the two countries, with Washington expecting to sign the document within days.

Officials described the negotiation process as having advanced to a favorable position but stopped short of declaring completion. "The negotiating team has got us in a very good spot, but lets see here, were not quite at the finish line yet, but we are very close," a government official said.

According to reporting from officials involved in the discussions, the draft terms are said to satisfy the principal objectives set by President Donald Trump and to leave the situation "in a very, very good place at the end of it." The agreement being discussed takes the form of a memorandum of understanding rather than a comprehensive treaty.

Key provisions described by officials include steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. The document reportedly also contains a provision addressing Irans stockpile of highly enriched uranium, stipulating that such material would be destroyed on site before being removed from the country.

An official emphasized restrictions on immediate concessions, saying: "The Iranians dont get anything upon the signing of the MOU or upon the negotiation itself." That comment framed the signing as a step in a negotiated process rather than a transaction that would yield immediate gains for Iran.

While officials expressed optimism over the state of the talks, they also conveyed that the process had not yet reached its conclusion. Washington's expectation of a signing "within days" indicates that final confirmations and formalities remained pending at the time of the report.

The memorandum of understanding, as described, focuses on operational steps - reopening a vital maritime corridor, lifting a blockade, and handling nuclear material on Irans soil - rather than detailing longer-term arrangements that might follow. The practical sequencing described in the proposal places an emphasis on on-site measures prior to removal of sensitive material.

Observers and stakeholders will be watching for the formal signing and subsequent implementation steps, which will determine how the stated terms are carried out in practice.

Risks

  • The agreement had not been finalized at the time of reporting - officials said they were "not quite at the finish line yet," creating uncertainty about timing and completion. This uncertainty can affect markets and trade reliant on clear outcomes.
  • Implementation details remain to be seen - while the memorandum reportedly specifies on-site destruction of enriched uranium before removal, the practical execution of those steps is an area of uncertainty that could affect nuclear oversight and diplomatic relations.
  • Immediate material concessions to Iran are not indicated at signing - an official stated "The Iranians dont get anything upon the signing of the MOU or upon the negotiation itself," highlighting potential political and compliance risks in follow-through.

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