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Initial steps of US-Iran MoU, subsequent phases revealed: Tasnim

Al-Mayadeen, May 27, 2026

Negotiations between Tehran and Washington are reportedly moving forward on a draft framework involving frozen Iranian assets, maritime arrangements, and a structured timeline for further talks.

Progress has been made regarding the release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets following the visit of an Iranian delegation to Qatar, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported, citing sources, noting that certain details related to the unfreezing of funds have not yet been definitively finalized.

Reaching a final formulation of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran requires resolving outstanding differences, as per the same sources.

They emphasized that the mechanism for announcing the memorandum must be joint, warning that any unilateral announcement by the United States could be “not entirely accurate.”

Initial steps toward an understanding, subsequent phases

The initial framework of the proposed understanding includes:

1. Ending hostilities across all fronts;

2. Releasing $12 billion in frozen assets;

3. Lifting the maritime blockade;

4. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The sources further indicated that, following the implementation of this initial phase, a 60-day negotiation period, extendable, would be allocated to address Iran’s nuclear file.

They added that Tehran has not, in this initial phase, made any commitments regarding enriched materials or the suspension of enrichment activities. They also stressed the need to suspend sanctions that obstruct the sale of Iranian oil, petrochemicals, and related derivatives throughout the negotiation period.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the maritime blockade are expected to be completed within 30 days, as per Tasnim.

Iranian negotiator to Fars: Trump may unilaterally announce agreement 

A member of Iran’s negotiating team said that US President Donald Trump may, in the coming hours, unilaterally announce the completion of an agreement between Iran and the United States, the Fars News Agency reported. 

The negotiator said such a move is viewed as an attempt to exert pressure on Iran and create the impression of a finalized settlement in the public sphere, prior to the resolution of all outstanding disputes.

He added that several files and issues remain unresolved, stressing that no agreement will be concluded unless all matters of concern to Iran are fully addressed.

The negotiator further stated that Iran will officially announce the outcome once all issues have been fully settled.

Iran TV shows details of unofficial preliminary US-Iran MoU framework

Earlier, the Iranian state television unveiled a preliminary and unofficial draft memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, outlining potential arrangements on maritime activity and regional security.

The draft framework, as per the broadcaster, suggests that the United States would commit to lifting a maritime blockade on Iran. In return, Iran would agree to restore commercial shipping through key maritime routes to pre-escalation levels within one month.

The reported arrangement does not apply to military vessels.

The report also said the draft includes provisions placing the management and regulation of maritime transit routes under Iranian oversight, in coordination with the Sultanate of Oman. 

These developments come amid rising expectations of a possible framework agreement between Tehran and Washington aimed at ending the war, with continued Pakistani diplomatic efforts and Qatar’s growing role in mediation.

The talks have reportedly encountered obstacles over two issues Tehran considers fundamental: the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon and the mechanism for releasing frozen Iranian assets, while the nuclear file is expected to be addressed in later stages.

Initial steps of US-Iran MoU, subsequent phases revealed: Tasnim | Al Mayadeen English

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Trump says he won’t rush Iran deal, threatens to 'blow up' Oman

ByAl Mayadeen, May 27, 2026

The US president signals he is willing to prolong negotiations with Tehran, insisting he will not be constrained by political deadlines even as midterms loom.

US President Donald Trump claimed the Strait of Hormuz would remain accessible to all nations and insisted Washington would oversee security in the strategic waterway as part of ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Trump rejected any proposal that would allow Iran or Oman to manage the passage independently.

“It’s international waters. Nobody’s going to control it. We’re going to watch over it. We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it,” Trump alleged. “That’s part of the negotiation that we have.”

Trump also directly threatened Oman, saying the country should not obstruct US objectives in the region.

“Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow ‘em up,” the president stressed.

When asked whether he would consider a temporary arrangement giving Iran and Oman authority over the crucial shipping lane, Trump replied, “No, the strait’s going to be open to everybody.”

It is worth noting that Iranian officials have repeatedly assured that oversight of the strait is a regional matter unrelated to the United States. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said earlier this week that coordination over the waterway would involve Oman rather than Washington.

Trump links Iran deal to 'Abraham Accords' expansion

Trump also indicated he may delay or reject a potential agreement with Iran unless additional Middle Eastern countries agree to join the US-backed normalization framework with "Israel" established during his first administration.

“That really would be a tremendous sign, and I think those countries owe it to us,” Trump said. “I’m not sure we should make the deal if they don’t sign, you want to know the truth.”

The president has recently urged countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan, to join the deals, though there has been little public indication that those governments are prepared to do so.

While Trump later softened his remarks by declining to make participation in the normalization ties an explicit condition for a deal, he stressed that Washington would only proceed if the final terms met US expectations.

“We can make a good deal right now, but maybe not a great deal,” he said. “And if it’s not a great deal, we’re not making it.”

No sanctions relief or uranium transfer

The US president also adopted a tougher position on Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, saying he would oppose any arrangement allowing Russia or China to take possession of the material.

“No I wouldn’t be comfortable,” he said when asked about the possibility of Moscow or Beijing receiving Iran’s near-weapons-grade uranium reserves, which are believed to be stored in fortified underground facilities.

Earlier in the week, Trump suggested the uranium could be “destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location,” though he did not specify where.

The president also ruled out sanctions relief in exchange for Tehran surrendering its uranium stockpile.

“We’re not talking about any easing of sanctions or giving money. No sanctions, no money, no nothing,” Trump said. “We have control of money that they claim is theirs. We’ll keep control of that money, when they behave properly and when they do what’s right, we’ll let them have their money, but right now we’re not doing that.”

In a separate interview with PBS News, Trump reiterated that Iran would not receive economic concessions in return for handing over highly enriched uranium.

“They’re gonna give up their highly enriched uranium not for sanctions relief. No, no, not at all,” he said.

Trump says political pressure won’t affect Iran policy

During the Cabinet meeting, Trump dismissed suggestions that domestic political concerns or upcoming midterm elections would influence his approach toward Iran.

“They thought they were going to outwait me, you know? We’ll outwait him, he’s got the midterms,” Trump stressed.

“I don’t care about the midterms. Look what happened last night, that was a prelude to the midterms. People understand it,” he added, referring to the victory of his endorsed candidate in a Republican Senate primary runoff in Texas.

Trump expressed confidence that negotiations would eventually produce an agreement, but warned that military action remained possible if talks failed.

“We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be,” he said. “Either that, or we’ll have to just finish the job.”

Earlier, White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Al Mayadeen that "as President Trump has said, negotiations are proceeding nicely, and he has made his redlines clear," adding that he "will only make a good deal for the American people, which must ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."

Trump jokes that Hegseth 'loves war'

While introducing Cabinet members at the White House meeting, Trump joked that War Secretary Pete Hegseth was eager for wars.

“We have great people, and the secretary of war, Pete Hegseth — central casting — he loves war … he’s a good man,” Trump stated.

Hegseth has faced growing criticism since the outbreak of the US-Israeli aggression on Iran, with opponents accusing him of favoring an aggressive military posture and confrontational public messaging.

The Cabinet meeting marked the 12th of Trump’s second term and took place amid intensifying negotiations with Iran and mounting scrutiny over Washington’s next steps in the aggression.

Trump says he won’t rush Iran deal, threatens to 'blow up' Oman | Al Mayadeen English

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