Trump says Iran MoU largely negotiated, then tells negotiators not to rush

Sunday, May 24, 2026Developing

Politics Desk

What we know

President Donald Trump said Saturday that a memorandum of understanding with Iran to end the three-month war had been "largely negotiated," including a path to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, then on Sunday told his representatives not to rush and said the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would stay in force until any deal is reached, certified and signed. Regional officials told the Associated Press the emerging draft would phase Hormuz reopenings alongside an end to the blockade, allow limited Iranian oil sales via sanctions waivers, and start a 60-day track on highly enriched uranium — while Tehran's spokespeople stressed that major gaps remain on Hormuz sovereignty, nuclear limits and Lebanon.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in New Delhi, said significant but not final progress had been made and framed a first stage of fully reopening the strait before harder nuclear talks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described a framework MoU with narrowing differences but said Tehran's immediate priority is ending the war, stopping further U.S. attacks and the fighting in Lebanon. Netanyahu said Trump reaffirmed Israel's right to defend itself "on every front, including Lebanon," even as draft language discussed ending the Israel-Hezbollah war.

What's confirmed

AP/Reuters: Trump walked Sunday's expectations back from Saturday's "largely negotiated" claim; no signing on Sunday; blockade stays until a certified deal (AP/Reuters).
AP/Al Jazeera: Draft tracks cover Hormuz reopen + U.S. blockade relief, oil waivers, a 60-day uranium/nuclear window, and Lebanon endgame language (AP/Al Jazeera).
AP/CNN: Rubio cited significant progress from New Delhi; Baghaei said differences narrowed but an imminent full deal is not claimed (AP/CNN).
AP: Netanyahu said Trump backed Israel's freedom of action on all fronts including Lebanon (AP).

What's still developing

Whether Hormuz tolls, demining and Iran's sovereignty claims can be bridged in writing.
How — and whether — Iran surrenders or dilutes its 60% enriched uranium stockpile in the 60-day window.
Whether Lebanon ceasefire language survives Israeli insistence on continued freedom of action against Hezbollah.

Sources

AP News — Trump says not to rush as details emerge of a potential Iran deal link
Reuters — Trump says there is no rush for Iran deal, US blockade stays link
Al Jazeera — US, Iran inch closer to deal to end the war: What to know link
CNN — Trump says agreement with Iran has been largely negotiated and Hormuz will be opened link