A senior US official said on Sunday that an agreement aimed at ending the conflict with Iran could be signed within the next few days. The official claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has already approved the general outline of the deal. However, there has been no confirmation from Iranian authorities regarding this statement.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that US President Donald Trump had assured him that any final agreement with Iran would include the dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear program.
Trump has faced strong criticism from members of his own Republican Party, as well as deep concern in Israel. Critics argue that the proposed agreement does not directly address major objectives such as stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions, eliminating its enriched uranium stockpile, restricting its ballistic missile development, and ending its support for proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. In response, Trump dismissed these criticisms, saying his opponents “don’t know what they are talking about” and urged people not to listen to them.
On Sunday, Trump also stated that negotiations were progressing “in an orderly and constructive manner,” adding that he had instructed his team not to rush, emphasizing that time favors the United States. He even suggested that Iran might consider joining the Abraham Accords in the future.
According to the US official, cited by Channel 12, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that Trump mentioned is still being finalized, with both sides continuing to refine its wording. The agreement was not expected to be signed by Sunday.
The official further noted that Iran has provided both verbal and written assurances that a future permanent agreement would involve the removal of all enriched uranium, regardless of its level. However, details about how this would be carried out remain unclear. Iran has also reportedly agreed to temporarily halt uranium enrichment for a period yet to be determined. Again, these claims have not been confirmed by Iran.
Despite signs of progress, the official stressed that no final agreement has been reached. He warned that financial relief for Iran would depend on resolving the uranium issue, stating that without it, Iran would not receive economic benefits.
Reports suggest that the MoU would initially extend the current ceasefire by 60 days. During this period, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, with Iran removing naval mines it has placed there. In return, the US would gradually ease its blockade of Iranian ports. Iran would be allowed to resume oil exports, and some US sanctions would be lifted. Additionally, if Iran meets further conditions, billions of dollars in frozen assets could be released.
Negotiations during this 60-day period would also focus on placing limits on Iran’s nuclear program. However, comments from Iranian military adviser Mohsen Rezaei appeared to contradict Trump’s claim about reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Rezaei insisted that controlling the strait is Iran’s legal right, emphasizing it as essential for national security.
He was quoted by Iranian media as saying that Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz would bring an end to decades of instability in the Persian Gulf.
On Saturday, Trump had already announced that the US and Iran were close to finalizing a deal to end the conflict, stating that most of the terms of the MoU had been agreed upon and an official announcement would follow soon. Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that Israel has been largely excluded from these negotiations.
