US and Iran Close to Deal as Peace Overtures Emerge
According to Middle East Monitor, Monday (25 May 2026), the information was first reported by US media Axios, citing a US official familiar with the draft agreement. As of now, neither the US government nor Iran has issued an official statement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Monday (25 May) that ‘possibly today’ there would be news regarding US-Iran negotiations to end the war.
Rubio, as reported by Anadolu Agency on Monday (25 May 2026), did not make a definitive statement regarding media reports suggesting Washington and Tehran are close to finalising a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.
The US Secretary of State only said there was ‘substantial progress’ on the US-Iran negotiation table, mediated by Pakistan, particularly regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
‘Work is still ongoing. We think there may be some news tonight, possibly today,’ Rubio told journalists during his visit to New Delhi, India’s capital, on Monday (25 May) local time.
In his statement, Rubio said there was ‘substantial progress’ on the table regarding their ability to open the strait, facilitate its reopening, enter into a very real, significant and time-limited negotiation on nuclear issues.
‘Let us hope we can achieve this,’ he added.
Iran Denies Imminent US Deal
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, as reported by AFP on Monday (25 May 2026), responded to Western media reports claiming Iran and the US are close to signing an agreement to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
‘It is true that we have reached conclusions on most of the issues being discussed,’ Baghaei said during a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday (25 May) local time.
‘But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent – no one can make such a claim,’ he firmly stated, accusing Washington of changing its position.
Baghaei emphasised that Iran would continue to manage maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz by charging service fees. He argued this does not mean Tehran is ‘attempting to collect tolls’.
He said the ‘services provided – navigation services alongside necessary measures to protect the environment of the Strait of Hormuz’, as well as the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, ‘require certain fees to be collected’.
As reported by Middle East Monitor on Monday (25 May 2026), Axios reported that a US official familiar with the draft agreement, which would regulate ceasefire extension and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Neither the US nor Iran has issued any official statement to date.
The US official cited by Axios stated that the proposed agreement has not been finalised. The official also warned that the deal could still fail before being signed.
A New York Times (NYT) report on Sunday (24 May), citing an unnamed US official, said the agreement is awaiting final approval from US President Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei – a process that could take several days.
Axios reported that the potential US-Iran agreement would extend the ceasefire for 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran effectively closed during the ongoing war since late February.
According to the draft memorandum of understanding, Iran would clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz and allow ships to pass without toll charges.
In return, the US would lift blockades on Iranian ports and impose limited sanctions exceptions allowing Tehran to sell oil freely for 60 days.
The draft agreement also includes Iran’s commitment to not pursue nuclear weapons and to negotiate a suspension of uranium enrichment, as well as the transfer of high-enriched uranium supplies.
Any broader sanctions relief or release of Iranian funds, according to Axios, would be discussed during the ceasefire period but only implemented as part of a verified final agreement.
During the extended 60-day ceasefire period, US forces stationed in the region would remain in place and only be withdrawn if a final agreement is reached.