U.S. and Iran Near 60-Day Ceasefire Deal as Trump Cancels Planned Strikes

The United States and Iran appear to be on the verge of a major diplomatic breakthrough, with President Donald Trump abruptly canceling planned military strikes on Thursday to announce that a "great settlement" is imminent. The sudden pivot comes after days of escalating tensions and renewed American bombardments across southern Iran, which had threatened to shatter a fragile truce. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump claimed that the highest levels of Iranian leadership had approved a draft agreement that would pause the conflict and pave the way for a permanent peace treaty.[2][4][5]

The region has been teetering on the edge of a wider war since the initial outbreak of hostilities earlier this year. A two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan in April, had been extended indefinitely but was marred by repeated violations from both sides. The situation deteriorated rapidly this week when the U.S. launched a wave of strikes targeting Iranian air-defense systems and command centers following the downing of an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.[4][7]

At the center of the emerging diplomatic framework is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would extend the current ceasefire for an additional 60 days. During this two-month window, the parties would engage in high-stakes negotiations aimed at resolving the core disputes that ignited the war. U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described the deal as a five-point, performance-based framework where Tehran would receive economic benefits only after fulfilling specific security obligations.[1][2][3]

A critical component of the draft agreement focuses on restoring global maritime trade. The MoU reportedly mandates the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with a goal of returning to pre-war shipping volumes within 30 days. In exchange, the United States would lift its crippling naval blockade on Iranian ports. Furthermore, the U.S. would grant temporary sanctions waivers, allowing Tehran to resume selling oil on the global market for the duration of the 60-day ceasefire.[2][3]

The most contentious issue—Iran's nuclear program—would be the primary focus of the 60-day negotiation period. The Trump administration claims that the final agreement will require Iran to commit indefinitely to never procuring or developing nuclear weapons, a significant departure from previous diplomatic efforts that envisioned 10- or 20-year sunsets. The deal would also reportedly require the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear enrichment infrastructure.[2][6]

Despite the optimism emanating from Washington, Tehran has offered a noticeably more cautious assessment. The Iranian foreign ministry and state media outlets quickly pushed back against the narrative that a deal was finalized, stating that no "final decision" or conclusion has been reached. Iranian officials emphasized that the current text does not commit Tehran to ceding management of the Strait of Hormuz, framing the MoU merely as an agreement to enter into further negotiations.[1][3]

Iran is also tying the bilateral ceasefire to broader regional conflicts. Tehran has demanded that any agreement to extend the truce must include a definitive end to Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that Israeli attacks had killed more than 3,700 people in Lebanon as of Thursday, making the intertwined conflicts a major sticking point for Iranian negotiators.[3][4]

The sudden diplomatic pivot caught the Israeli government off guard. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had been coordinating closely with the U.S. on military strategies against Iran, reportedly viewed the pending deal as a "bitter pill." Having prepared for a decisive military confrontation, Israeli leadership was forced to rapidly adjust its posture when Washington signaled its intent to pursue a negotiated settlement instead.[1][5]

Behind closed doors, the U.S. applied immense pressure on Israel to accept the ceasefire. Reports indicate that President Trump explicitly warned Netanyahu that escalating military action could leave Israel isolated on the global stage. The blunt directive from Washington effectively constrained Israel's ability to launch unilateral strikes, forcing Netanyahu to publicly halt the fire.[5]

Publicly, the Israeli government has pivoted to emphasize its alignment with the U.S. on the nuclear issue. Netanyahu's office released a statement confirming the ceasefire and expressing appreciation for Trump's commitment that the final agreement will dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities and halt its support for regional proxy groups. Netanyahu reiterated that as long as he is prime minister, Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.[5][6]

Regional mediators have played a crucial role in bridging the gaps between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan, which brokered the initial April truce, and Qatar have been instrumental in facilitating the indirect talks. Pakistani officials expressed high confidence in the process, stating that a "final, agreed upon text" had been reached and that negotiators were merely finalizing the technical details of the document.[1][3][7]

The immediate next steps remain highly fluid, but the White House is pushing for a rapid formalization of the MoU. President Trump suggested that a signing ceremony could take place in Europe as soon as this weekend. While Trump indicated he would not attend the signing in person, he announced that Vice President JD Vance would travel to represent the United States, signaling the administration's commitment to finalizing the historic pause in hostilities.[2][3]