U.S. And Iran Close In On One-Page Memo To End War, Set Nuclear Talks Framework

The United States and Iran are closing in on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations, according to two U.S. officials and two other sources cited by Axios. The White House expects Iranian responses on several key points in the next 48 hours, while “Nothing has been agreed yet,” and the talks are described as the closest the parties have been to an agreement since the war began. The draft is described as a 14-point memorandum that would declare an end to the war and begin a 30-day period of negotiations on opening the Strait of Hormuz, limiting Iran’s nuclear program, and lifting U.S. sanctions. In the current draft, Iran would commit to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, while the U.S. would agree to lift sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds, and both sides would lift restrictions around transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that “we don't have to have the actual agreement written in one day,” framing the process as “highly complex and technical” while insisting on a diplomatic solution that is “very clear on the topics they are willing to negotiate on.” Rubio also said some of Iran’s top leaders were “insane in the brain” and that it was unclear whether they would make a deal. The negotiations are being conducted between Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and several Iranian officials, both directly and through mediators, with follow-up talks described as potentially taking place in Islamabad or Geneva. The U.S. decision to pause a three-day-old naval mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is described as being based on progress in the talks, with Trump writing that “Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalised and signed.”

A central sticking point in the draft memorandum is the duration of the uranium enrichment moratorium, with three sources saying it would be at least 12 years and one putting 15 as a likely landing spot. Iran proposed a 5-year moratorium on enrichment while the U.S. demanded 20, and the U.S. wants a provision that any Iranian violation would prolong the moratorium. After it expires, Iran would be able to enrich to the low level of 3.67%, and the memorandum would include commitments that Iran would never seek a nuclear weapon or conduct weaponization-related activities. The draft also discusses an enhanced inspections regime, including snap inspections by UN inspectors, and a clause under discussion that Iran would commit not to operate underground nuclear facilities. If negotiations collapse, U.S. forces would be able to restore the blockade or resume military action, leaving the outcome contingent on whether the parties can reach a final agreement after the 30-day negotiation period.

“Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios The White House believes it's getting close to an agreement with Iran on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations, according to two U”

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