A senior U.S. official said on May 24 that the United States and Iran have reached an agreement in principle on a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address part of Iran’s nuclear stockpile.
The official said Iran agreed to dispose of its highly enriched uranium as part of the plan. The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical passage for global oil shipments.
No final document has been signed, and approval from President Trump and Iran’s supreme leader remains pending, the official added.
The discussions follow months of conflict that began in late February with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. A cease-fire took hold in early April to allow talks.
Details of the Framework
The senior U.S. official described the plan as an initial step. It would end the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and reopen the strait without tolls. In exchange, Iran would dispose of its highly enriched uranium, though the exact method and timeline are still under negotiation.
The official said the agreement does not cover Iran’s missile supplies or set a moratorium on uranium enrichment. Those topics would come up in later talks. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in New Delhi that the United States would enter “very serious talks” on the nuclear program after the strait reopens.
Also Read: Rubio Warns NATO to Prepare ‘Plan B’ if Iran Keeps Strait of Hormuz Shut
“You can’t do a nuclear thing in 72 hours on the back of a napkin,” Rubio said. He added that the administration would give negotiations time but warned that other options remain available if progress stalls within 60 days.
Reactions in Israel and Congress
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued his first public statement on the matter late Sunday. He said he and Trump agreed that any accord must require Iran to dismantle nuclear sites and remove enriched uranium.
In Congress, some Republicans criticized the emerging plan. Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called it “a disaster” and questioned whether Iran would negotiate in good faith.
The framework comes after the war disrupted energy markets and caused thousands of deaths. Trump has described the approach as a way to end immediate fighting while pursuing a stronger final agreement.
Why This Matters
The possible deal addresses the immediate economic effects of the conflict. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz could ease pressure on global oil supplies and lower energy costs. The war raised gas and food prices in many countries, including the United States.
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A successful framework could reduce the chance of wider fighting in the Middle East. However, the limited scope leaves core security questions unresolved. Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities and history of past agreements will shape whether this leads to lasting stability or merely a pause.
Delaying tougher issues gives Iran time to rebuild its program. Supporters say the step creates space for detailed talks under continued U.S. pressure. The coming days will test whether both sides follow through on approvals and implementation.
The Trump administration has said it seeks a better outcome than the 2015 nuclear agreement, which it left during Trump’s first term. Officials have not offered to unfreeze Iranian assets immediately but signaled willingness if Iran meets its commitments.
Iranian officials have not made public statements on the latest developments. Three Iranian sources said earlier that any deal would only set a timeline for future nuclear talks within 30 to 60 days.
