Mediators are preparing a “letter of intent” for the United States and Iran to sign, formally ending the currently paused war and kicking off another 30 days of negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. officials familiar with the talks.
The development comes after more than a month of ceasefire and indirect discussions, raising questions about whether this new window will finally deliver the long-term deal many have been waiting for.
Axios reporter Barak Ravid first broke the details on Wednesday, May 20, following a tough phone call between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Tense Phone Call
A U.S. source told Ravid that Trump laid out the plan during the conversation, which sources described as lengthy and at times tense.
Netanyahu expressed strong doubts about the latest proposal, which is being shaped by mediators from Qatar and Pakistan.
The letter of intent would mark a formal end to hostilities that flared earlier this year.
It sets a clear 30-day clock for direct and indirect talks on core issues: limits on Iran’s nuclear activities and ensuring the free flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carries about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a major flashpoint, with disruptions driving up energy prices and worrying economies from Europe to Asia.
Many hoped the ceasefire declared more than a month ago would quickly lead to a lasting agreement.
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Instead, negotiations have dragged on, with both sides trading proposals and counter-proposals.
Iran has pushed its own 14-point plan in recent weeks, while the U.S. side has emphasized the need for verifiable steps on the nuclear front and unrestricted shipping through the strait.
Trump has repeatedly said he wants a deal but has also warned he is ready to use force again if talks collapse.
Netanyahu has argued that continued military pressure offers the best way to weaken Iran’s capabilities.
Israeli officials are concerned that protracted talks will give Tehran time to regroup and rebuild.
People familiar with the conversation said Netanyahu raised his concerns to Trump during their call.
Yet Trump appears willing to test the diplomatic route one more time. The proposed 30-day period would focus on concrete issues rather than broad principles.
Iran’s Nuclear Key Topic
Topics on the table include uranium enrichment limits, sanctions relief, and practical arrangements to get oil tankers moving safely through the Strait of Hormuz again.
Diplomats involved say the letter of intent is meant to build confidence, as signing it would commit both sides to pause any new military moves while negotiators work.
Shipping companies and energy traders worldwide have rerouted vessels and incurred higher insurance costs due to the uncertainty in the Gulf.
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Since the ceasefire took hold, mediators have shuttled proposals between Washington, Tehran, and other capitals.
Pakistan has played a key role in hosting indirect talks. Qatar has also stayed active behind the scenes.
Critics in Washington and Jerusalem argue Iran uses talks as a delaying tactic while it advances its nuclear work.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, complain that U.S. sanctions and Israeli strikes make a real compromise difficult.
Trump has been balancing both tracks by keeping military options on the table while advancing diplomacy.
In recent statements, he has said the U.S. is making progress but will not wait forever.
Mediators hope the letter of intent will create enough structure and deadlines to force real decisions.
If successful, it could open the door to a broader agreement covering not just nukes and oil routes but also regional proxies and long-term security guarantees.
