US-Iran memorandum opens 60-day nuclear talks as Strait of Hormuz traffic set to resume
US and Iranian officials say a preliminary memorandum of understanding has been reached that would restore maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and open a 60-day negotiation period on a broader nuclear agreement. The latest details indicate the text is still limited in scope, with the immediate focus on downblending Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision. The planned signing is expected in Switzerland on Friday, with the possibility of presidential-level participation still being discussed.
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The new information also suggests that many of the most difficult technical questions remain unresolved. US officials say the memorandum does not yet set out how the uranium downblending would be carried out or on what timetable, while Iran says the return of shipping through the strait will happen within a defined period and that Tehran alone will manage the process. The agreement is being presented as a first step rather than a final settlement, and the 60-day window is intended to produce a more comprehensive deal.
The development matters because it links nuclear diplomacy to one of the world's most important shipping chokepoints. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for maritime traffic, so any change to access there has immediate implications for trade, regional security and energy flows. It also comes after years of tension over Iran's nuclear programme, which has been a central issue in talks involving the United States, Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The memorandum is also politically significant because it is being framed as a test of whether a temporary arrangement can be turned into a lasting agreement. US officials have said the text is meant to stop Iran from moving closer to a nuclear weapon, while Iranian officials have emphasised the maritime element and the restoration of normal traffic. The inclusion of a fixed negotiation period suggests both sides are trying to manage escalation while leaving room for further bargaining.
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The broader context is that previous efforts to reach a durable nuclear settlement have taken much longer than the current timetable now proposed. The latest draft leaves open questions about verification, the handling of enriched uranium and the role of regional partners in any reconstruction or settlement package. It also remains unclear how the shipping arrangements would be enforced in practice and what role, if any, outside powers would play in monitoring compliance.
What happens next will depend on whether the memorandum is signed as planned and whether the two sides can narrow the remaining gaps during the 60-day talks. It is still not clear how much of the current text will survive once technical details are negotiated, or whether the arrangement will hold under political pressure. The key points to watch are the signing in Switzerland, the first steps on uranium downblending and any confirmation of how the Strait of Hormuz reopening will be implemented.
The United States and Iran have reportedly agreed a draft interim understanding aimed at halting the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to a document reviewed by Reuters. The 14-point memorandum sets out an immediate and permanent end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, and says both sides would refrain from hostile action or the threat of force. It also opens the way for a broader 60-day negotiation period due to begin in Switzerland on Friday.
The draft says the two sides would respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and avoid interference in internal affairs. It states that a final agreement would be reached within a maximum of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent. The document also says the United States would lift the naval blockade immediately on signing and prevent interference with Iranian shipping, while traffic would be restored to full capacity within 30 days.
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The text further says Iran would take steps to resume merchant shipping between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman within 30 days, taking account of technical obstacles and the neutralisation of mines. It also says the United States would withdraw forces from surrounding areas within 30 days after a final agreement. The draft leaves some of the most difficult issues, including how to wind down Iran's nuclear programme, to a later settlement.
The reported framework matters because it links a ceasefire arrangement to the reopening of one of the world's most strategically important shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for maritime traffic, and any easing of restrictions there would have immediate implications for regional security and trade flows. The inclusion of a fixed negotiation window also suggests both sides are trying to turn a temporary pause into a more durable political process.
The memorandum appears to be designed as an interim step rather than a full peace settlement. By deferring the nuclear question and other contentious issues, it creates space for talks while trying to reduce the risk of further escalation. The reference to allies in the current war also indicates that the arrangement is not limited to bilateral contacts, but is tied to a wider regional conflict.
What remains unclear is whether the draft will be accepted in its current form and how much of it will survive the next round of talks. It is also not clear how quickly any shipping changes could be implemented in practice, or what verification mechanisms would be used. The coming negotiations in Switzerland will be the key test of whether the reported understanding can become a final agreement.
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