Negotiators agree on new cease-fire deal; Trump hasn't yet approved
by Lisa Hornung · UPIMay 28 (UPI) -- A tentative cease-fire has been reached Thursday between the United States and Iran, but it still must be approved by the leadership of both countries.
The two sides agreed on a 60-day memorandum of understanding to keep the cease-fire that's been in place since early April and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Hill, the BBC and CNN.
The MOU also commits to negotiating on Iran's nuclear enrichment program and U.S. sanctions against Iran. The Iranian side agreed to not impose tolls on commercial ships in the strait and will begin removing mines from the vital shipping channel.
Sources told CNN that the most difficult issues with Iran's nuclear program still must be worked out as part of those negotiations.
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If shipping is allowed to continue through the strait, the U.S. will remove the Navy blockade and issue sanctions waivers, allowing Iran to sell its oil.
Axios first reported the MOU.
The MOU states that the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon would end, Axios reported. It's unclear if Israel and Lebanon would agree.
It's also unclear if President Donald Trump will agree to the MOU.
Earlier Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions against the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which was created to oversee and manage the Strait of Hormuz. Iran was reportedly in talks with Oman to control shipping through the strait.
The United States and Iran have been trading fire recently while the fragile cease-fire remains in place. Iran said it attacked a U.S. air base Thursday morning in retaliation for the
U.S. military striking presumed Iranian military assets near Bandar Abbas Airport in southern Iran.