According to multiple US media outlets citing official sources, negotiators from the United States and Iran have reached a preliminary framework agreement to extend the ceasefire and resume talks. However, Iran has not yet formally confirmed the details of the agreement, and US President Donald Trump has also not given final approval, meaning the deal is still subject to change.
Under the initial arrangement, the current three-month ceasefire would be extended by 60 days, alongside the resumption of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme. In exchange, the US plans to gradually lift its maritime blockade on Iranian ports and ease certain economic sanctions, allowing Iran to increase oil exports in order to mitigate energy market volatility caused by the conflict.
Sources also said the draft agreement includes arrangements for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, requiring Iran not to charge transit fees on passing vessels and to remove naval mines in the strait within 30 days, in order to restore normal operations of this critical global energy corridor.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that if the agreement is formally implemented, oil prices could “fall rapidly”. However, he also warned that any country or entity assisting Iran in implementing a fee system in the strait could face US sanctions.
Although both sides have reached a preliminary consensus in principle, the agreement still requires formal signing by Trump and public confirmation from the Iranian government. Iran has also emphasised that any agreement must be officially announced by Tehran.
Commentary:
From the content of the agreement, it is clear that both the US and Iran are attempting to strike a balance between reducing military confrontation and securing economic interests. On one hand, both sides agree to extend the ceasefire and restore shipping order in the Strait of Hormuz; on the other hand, the US is considering easing certain sanctions to allow Iran to increase oil exports and stabilise the energy market.
However, these arrangements remain largely surface-level. The core issues driving long-term tensions between the US and Iran—such as Iran’s nuclear programme, its military influence in the Middle East, and the long-standing lack of mutual trust—remain unresolved. In other words, this appears to be only a temporary reduction in tensions rather than a genuine resolution of conflict, meaning sustaining a long-term ceasefire will remain highly challenging.