Ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran have bogged down, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing multiple mediators. Given that President Donald Trump's most recent message on Iran was that "negotiations are progressing smoothly," the framework itself does not appear to be unraveling, but the momentum that had been building has somewhat stalled.
According to major foreign media reports Sunday, the two sides have so far discussed extending the ceasefire by 60 days and signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. The discussions also include addressing Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief during that period. Japan's Nikkei reported, citing Middle East sources, that "the agreement includes provisions to remove mines in the Strait of Hormuz over a 30-day period after the two sides reach a deal, restoring conditions for safe passage of vessels."
However, the WSJ reported, citing mediators, that "the US is demanding clear commitments on Iran's nuclear program, while Iran wants specifics from the US on sanctions relief and the unfreezing of assets." The US is concerned that once Iran obtains sanctions relief, it may take a lukewarm stance on the nuclear issue, the outlet reported.
Washington's concerns align with pushback from Republican hardliners against the deal. Even Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), one of Trump's closest allies, criticized the agreement, saying it "essentially confirms that Iran can threaten the Strait of Hormuz with terrorist capabilities" and "makes one wonder why we started the war in the first place." The US is therefore seeking to enhance the binding force of the agreement by including, before the MOU is signed, provisions on how Iran will handle its highly enriched uranium and the duration of any halt to enrichment activities.
Meanwhile, Fox News reported that an Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday to discuss details of the ceasefire agreement. Talks began Sunday morning, and Reuters reported that the main agenda items included the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and the possible release of frozen Iranian funds.
Even if the two sides sign the MOU and enter full-scale nuclear negotiations, foreign media commonly assess that obstacles will remain. Marking Memorial Day, Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery and warned that "Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," noting that 13 US service members were killed in action during Operation Midnight Hammer. The US wants Iran to ship its stockpile of about 440 kg of 60%-enriched uranium to the United States, but Iran reportedly prefers to transfer it to a third country.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has said it will not impose "tolls" but plans to charge for services such as navigation and environmental protection measures. This is a burdensome element for the US.
Trump's demand that Middle Eastern countries join the Abraham Accords as part of these negotiations is another variable. On Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said joining the Abraham Accords should be made mandatory, mentioning Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan. The Abraham Accords are agreements normalizing relations between Israel and surrounding Arab nations, launched during Trump's first term, with the UAE and Bahrain having joined.
Israel still favors attack, a negative factor for any agreement. In a video statement Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "We are at war with Hezbollah," adding, "We will never slow down — on the contrary, I have instructed them to press the accelerator pedal even harder." He added that Hezbollah is attacking with drones and that Israel will resolve the issue by operating a dedicated response team. The Israeli military launched airstrikes on several villages in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing three people.
