Scoop: U.S. and Iran reach deal but need Trump's final approval, officials say
Barak Ravid
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Vice President Vance, President Trump and Secretary Rubio in the Oval Office. Photo: Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty
U.S. and Iranian negotiators have reached an agreement ona 60-day memorandum of understandingto extend the ceasefire and launch negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, but President Trump has yet to give it his final approval, two U.S. officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: The signing of the MOU would be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the war started, but a final agreement that tackles Trump's nuclear demands would still require further intensive negotiations.
Behind the scenes: U.S. officials said the deal terms were mostly agreed as of Tuesday, but both sides still needed to get approval from senior leadership.
The U.S. officials claimed the Iranians later came back and said they had the necessary approvals and were prepared to sign. Iran has not confirmed that.
The U.S. negotiators briefed Trump on the details of the final deal and he asked to take a few days to think about it.
"The president relayed to the mediators that he wants a couple of days to think about it," a U.S. official said.
Flashback: Trump and his advisers thought they were close to a deal several times at earlier stages in the war, but none materialized.
Zoom in: The U.S. officials said the 60-day MOU will state that shipping through the strait of Hormuz will be "unrestricted." A U.S. official said this means no tolls and no harassment, and that Iran will have to remove all mines from the strait within 30 days.
The U.S. naval blockade will also be lifted, but that will happen in proportion to the restoration of commercial shipping, a U.S. official said.
The MOU will include an Iranian commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon, the officials said. It will also state that the first issues to be negotiated during the 60-day window will be how to dispose of Iran's highly enriched uranium and how to address Iranian enrichment.
The U.S. will commit to discuss sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian funds as part of the negotiations. The MOU will also include a discussion of a mechanism to help Iran start receiving goods and humanitarian aid.
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