US-Iran Deal Near? Inside the 14-Point Memo to End War, Reopen Strait of Hormuz
The White House reportedly believes it is close to reaching an agreement with Iran, with the United States expecting Tehran’s response on several key issues within the next 48 hours. Although no formal agreement has been finalised since the fragile ceasefire came into effect on April 8, a US media report stated that both sides are now closer to a deal than at any point since the war began on February 28. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump again warned Iran to reach an agreement, threatening “intense” bombing.
According to an Axios report citing US officials and other sources, Washington believes it is nearing an agreement with Iran on a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at ending the conflict and establishing a framework for detailed negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
What is included in the one-page memo?
The proposed deal includes Iran agreeing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, while the United States would lift sanctions on Tehran and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds. The memorandum also includes both countries lifting restrictions on the transit of ships through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Several provisions in the proposed MOU are dependent on a final agreement being reached, leaving open the possibility of renewed conflict or an extended stalemate in which active fighting stops without a permanent resolution.
In its current form, the memorandum would formally end the conflict and initiate a 30-day negotiation period for a broader agreement. The proposed talks would focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, limiting Iran’s nuclear activities, and easing US sanctions. According to the report, citing sources, the negotiations could take place in Islamabad or Geneva.
On Wednesday, May 6, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has positioned himself as a mediator in the discussions between Iran and the United States, said he was “hopeful” that the current momentum in negotiations would lead to peace in West Asia.
Trump warns of ‘Intense’ Bombing
At the same time, Trump warned of “intense” bombing if Iran refuses to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president said that if Tehran does not allow the strategic waterway to remain open to all, bombing would resume at a “much higher level” and with greater intensity than before.
“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Trump wrote.
He further added, “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”
Trump pauses ‘Project Freedom’
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump announced that he was pausing the US military operation “Project Freedom”, which had been launched to direct stranded commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, signalling the possibility of a breakthrough agreement to end the war.
However, the US president maintained that the American blockade of Iranian ports would continue as Tehran continued its own closure of one of the world’s most strategically important trade routes.