US & Iran Close To Agreeing To 1-Page Memo To End War

The White House believes it is close to finalising a one-page memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran to end the war, according to Axios.

Sources told Axios that the White House believes it could finalise the MoU to end the war and set a framework for further detailed negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme. They said the White House expects Iran’s response on key points within the next 48 hours.

The report comes shortly after US President Donald Trump paused ‘Operation Freedom’, which was tasked with guiding stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump on Tuesday said he was pausing the operation at the request of Pakistan and other countries and because there had been “great progress” towards an agreement with Iran.

Sources told Axios that Trump’s decision to pause the operation and avoid a collapse of the uneasy ceasefire was based on progress in the talks.

Separately, a source in Pakistan —the principal mediator— confirmed the development to Reuters.

“We will close this very soon. We are getting close,” the source said.

The United States and Iran envision the MoU as a steppingstone for a phased process to resolve the broader crisis, according to Axios.

The report said the MoU has 14 points and is being negotiated by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, along with several Iranian officials both directly and through mediators.

Once agreed by both sides, the MoU would declare an end to the war and initiate a 30-day period of negotiations on a detailed agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz, limit Iran’s nuclear programme, and lift American sanctions.

Sources said these negotiations could take place in Islamabad or Geneva.

If talks collapse, the United States would be free to reimpose the blockade or resume the war.

The issue of a moratorium on uranium enrichment is being “actively negotiated”, according to the report.

The issue is at the core of the disagreement between the two sides. Previously, the United States had demanded that Iran commit to a 20-year moratorium but it is now considering a period of 12 to 15 years. Previously, Iran had proposed a moratorium of five years.

As per the MoU, the Trump administration also wants Iran to commit to never seeking a nuclear weapon or conducting weaponisation-related activities. It is also discussing a clause that would bar Iran from operating underground nuclear facilities.

Under the MoU, Iran would also commit to snap UN inspections of its nuclear facilities.