President Trump Reviews Tentative Iran Deal To Extend Cease-Fire And Launch Nuclear Talks
President Donald Trump is reviewing a tentative agreement between the United States and Iran that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, extend the fragile cease-fire, and begin formal negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
The White House confirmed Thursday that negotiators had reached a potential framework agreement, though officials stressed President Trump has not yet signed off on the plan.
If approved, the agreement would require Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted shipping traffic while the United States would lift its blockade on Iranian ports. The framework would also launch a 60-day negotiating window focused on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the breakthrough as unprecedented.
“This administration — President Trump — has done something that no other administration is able to do: we have gotten the Iranians to talk about their nuclear program, and to perhaps commit to not having one,” Bessent said Thursday.
The negotiations come amid ongoing tensions despite the cease-fire. US Central Command said Iran violated the truce Thursday by firing toward a US military base in Kuwait, though the United States has so far refrained from returning to full-scale military operations.
According to the proposed framework, Iran would be prohibited from charging tolls on commercial vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz and would be required to clear mines from the waterway within 30 days.
In exchange, the United States would begin discussions regarding possible sanctions relief and the unfreezing of Iranian assets while negotiations continue. Iran would also agree to discuss turning over or destroying its highly enriched uranium stockpile and addressing future uranium enrichment activities.
The framework reportedly sparked immediate reactions in global energy markets. Oil prices initially surged after news of Iran’s strike near the US base in Kuwait, but prices later fell sharply after reports emerged that negotiations were progressing.
Despite the apparent diplomatic progress, skepticism remains high among both American and Iranian hardliners.
Iranian officials publicly insisted Thursday that Tehran’s “red lines” remain unchanged, including maintaining the right to enrich uranium and retaining authority over the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, critics in the United States warned that lifting economic pressure too early could weaken President Trump’s leverage before any permanent nuclear concessions are secured.
Mark Levin questioned why the administration would consider removing both military and economic pressure before Iran fully commits to dismantling its nuclear capabilities.
Foundation for Defense of Democracies analyst Andrea Stricker also warned that allowing Iran to retain any enriched uranium could leave the door open for future nuclear development once President Trump leaves office.
The tentative framework now awaits President Trump’s final decision as negotiations continue behind closed doors.