Axios, a U.S. political outlet, said on the 5th (local time) that the United States and Iran were closing in on signing a short, one-page deal that would halt military clashes and lay out a basic framework to resolve their long-standing nuclear dispute.
With the two countries, which had edged toward the brink of an all-out war, sketching a swap of freezing Iran's core nuclear program for lifting U.S. economic sanctions and moving into last-minute coordination, observers say the Middle East has reached a major turning point.
Citing multiple sources, Axios reported that the Trump administration was waiting for Iran's final response within 48 hours on a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) containing 14 provisions. The deal was said to have been produced by Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, either through intermediaries or via direct communication with senior Iranian officials.
Sources said the document includes an official declaration ending the war between the two countries and launching detailed talks on opening the Strait of Hormuz for 30 days and on specific sanction-easing steps.
Axios said the reason Trump abruptly put on hold the military operation in the Strait of Hormuz, "Project Freedom," which he personally launched on the 4th, was also the result of progress in behind-the-scenes talks. If the deal is reached, Iran must immediately stop uranium enrichment and halt operations at key underground nuclear facilities. It must also fully accept a strengthened monitoring regime, including allowing surprise visits by United Nations (UN) inspectors.
In return, the United States would gradually lift economic sanctions against Iran and unfreeze billions of dollars of Iranian funds tied up around the world. Axios added that, regarding the moratorium on uranium enrichment, the United States asked for 20 years while Iran proposed 5 years, and the two sides are now seeking common ground in the range of 12 to 15 years.
However, some note that deep divisions within Iran's leadership could still make a final agreement difficult. U.S. Minister Marco Rubio said, "There is no need to draft an actual agreement in a single day," adding, "This is very complicated and technical, but we must have a very clear diplomatic solution on the topics they are willing to negotiate and the scope of concessions they will put up front." Rubio then criticized some of Iran's top officials as "insane," signaling skepticism about whether a deal can be reached. The United States plans to resume a maritime blockade or military operations at any time if detailed talks fall apart.