By Ginika Igboke 

The United States and Iran have tentatively agreed to a 60-day memorandum of understanding aimed at extending the current ceasefire and creating space for further negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, according to a U.S. government source.

The agreement is still awaiting final approval from President Donald Trump, the source said on May 28. Axios first reported the development.

The proposed deal follows months of conflict that began on Feb. 28, when Trump authorized offensive military action against Iran. The fighting lasted 38 days before both sides agreed to a ceasefire on April 7.

Despite the truce, tensions have remained high. U.S. and Iranian forces have exchanged fire several times since the ceasefire began, including multiple incidents overnight on May 27.

U.S. Central Command described the latest Iranian military actions—including drone launches near the Strait of Hormuz and missile launches toward Kuwait—as “egregious ceasefire violations.”

Iran, meanwhile, has objected to the continued U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, which Trump ordered shortly after the April ceasefire took effect.

On May 28, U.S. Central Command said American forces had redirected 111 ships as part of the blockade mission. U.S. forces have also used disabling fire against several Iranian cargo vessels.

Nuclear Program Remains Central Issue

Trump has repeatedly stated that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a top priority and has cited that concern as justification for military operations.

Officials within the administration, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, have said recent military strikes were intended to weaken Iran’s defensive capabilities and prevent any rapid move toward building a nuclear weapon.

Iranian leaders continue to insist that the country’s nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes. However, international watchdogs remain concerned over Tehran’s expanding uranium stockpile and increased enrichment levels.

After Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear agreement in 2018 and reinstated heavy sanctions, Iran accelerated uranium enrichment efforts, according to reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Last year, Trump ordered strikes on nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz using U.S. B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.

Recent negotiations have focused heavily on what should happen to Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which may still be buried at some of the targeted sites.

During a May 27 Cabinet meeting, Trump rejected the idea of allowing Iran to transfer uranium stockpiles to Russia or China.

“I wouldn’t be comfortable with that,” the president said.

Trump has instead proposed several alternatives, including turning the uranium over to the United States, destroying it inside Iran, or dismantling it under international supervision.

Iranian officials, however, have maintained that uranium enrichment is a sovereign right and have signaled they want to preserve at least some domestic enrichment capability.

Shipping, Sanctions, and Regional Conflict Complicate Talks

Additional disputes continue to complicate negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said over the weekend that the proposed memorandum of understanding is primarily focused on ending hostilities and lifting the U.S. blockade before broader talks begin on nuclear issues and sanctions.

Iran began targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters following the joint U.S.–Israeli military campaign launched in February. Since then, Tehran has also attempted to formalize control over the strategic waterway by establishing a toll system for passing ships.

In response, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions on May 28 targeting Iran’s recently created maritime toll authority.

Baghaei also indicated that sanctions relief could eventually become part of broader negotiations.

Trump, however, said during the Cabinet meeting that immediate sanctions relief is not under consideration, although he suggested frozen Iranian assets could potentially be released later if Tehran complies with future agreements.

“We have control of money that they claim is theirs,” Trump said. “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.”

Iran’s support for groups designated internationally as terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, also remains a major issue in negotiations.

In an April 1 address, Trump said the joint U.S.–Israeli campaign against Iran aimed to weaken Tehran’s support for militant groups throughout the Middle East.

As fighting escalated earlier this year, Hezbollah launched additional attacks against Israel, prompting intensified Israeli airstrikes and expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon.

Although the United States later helped broker a separate ceasefire involving Lebanon, clashes in the region have continued intermittently.