US and Iran agree on 60-day truce extension with new terms

US and Iran Reach Preliminary Agreement on Ceasefire Extension

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the US and Iran has been reached, paving the way for further negotiations to extend the current ceasefire for 60 days. According to sources, President Donald Trump’s final approval is still required for the agreement to be finalized.

The MOU would allow vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to proceed “unrestricted,” and the US would lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports. However, details of the tentative deal remain unclear, including whether the 60-day extension represents a deadline for negotiations.

Earlier this week, sporadic skirmishes between the US and Iran in the Gulf threatened to unravel the truce. The two countries traded limited attacks earlier on Thursday. Axios first reported the preliminary deal, which was later confirmed by the White House.

The agreement also requires Iran to commit to not pursuing a nuclear weapon, although Tehran has already made this commitment publicly. Other sticking points, including US sanctions and the future of Iran’s uranium stockpile, would need to be addressed in further talks.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that his country is “not looking for nuclear weapons.” However, the US seeks limits on Iran’s missile and drone production, which Tehran has ruled out negotiating over. The ongoing truce is already open-ended, but the 60-day extension would provide a temporary reprieve.

The White House confirmed the report to Al Jazeera, stating that President Trump’s final approval is still required for the agreement to be finalized. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to confirm details of the reported deal, citing the need for Trump’s approval.

Source: Al Jazeera