Iran and US draft deal covers nuclear limits, sanctions relief and Hormuz reopening

Iran has agreed in draft form not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons under a memorandum of understanding with the United States, according to a report citing a senior Iranian official. The reported framework also covers sanctions relief and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint for global fuel trade. The two sides are said to be set to discuss a final agreement during the 60 days after approval of the framework.

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The report said Tehran and Washington have not officially reacted to the draft so far. It also said US President Donald Trump had earlier announced that a peace deal would be signed on Sunday, while the Iranian side suggested the signing could take longer. The reported memorandum is described as covering Iran's nuclear programme alongside wider political and economic issues, making it broader than a narrow arms-control arrangement.

If confirmed, the draft would mark a significant shift in a long-running dispute over Iran's nuclear activities and the sanctions regime imposed on the country. The inclusion of the Strait of Hormuz is notable because the waterway is central to international energy shipments and any change in its status would have implications beyond the two countries. Sanctions relief, meanwhile, would be a major issue for Tehran, which has faced extensive economic pressure over its nuclear programme.

The reported framework also matters because it links nuclear limits to maritime access and sanctions policy in a single package. That suggests the talks are not only about preventing nuclear weapons development, but also about wider regional and economic arrangements. For global markets, any agreement touching the Strait of Hormuz would be watched closely because of the route's role in fuel exports.

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The draft comes against the backdrop of years of tension over Iran's nuclear programme and repeated efforts to reach some form of accommodation with Washington. The reported 60-day period for discussion after framework approval indicates that, even if the outline is accepted, substantial negotiation would still be needed before any final deal. The absence of an official response from either government leaves the status of the report unconfirmed.

What remains unclear is whether the reported memorandum has been formally approved, what exact sanctions relief is being discussed, and how the Strait of Hormuz provision would work in practice. It is also not clear whether the two sides are aligned on the timing of any signing ceremony or on the path to a final agreement. The next key development will be whether either government confirms the draft and whether the reported 60-day negotiation window begins.

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