Iran has recorded a historic victory against a supposed superpower indeed, which the unpresentable and unhistorical Donald Trump has stripped bare. Iran not only won militarily against the Americans and the Israelis, but managed to impose itself at the negotiating table as well and as everything shows today 24 May 2026 the USA and Iran will sign a memorandum of understanding which will open the way for all issues to be examined in a period of 30 to 60 days. But although the American media, especially AXIOS, mentioned that there are 14 points to be discussed for the signing of the memorandum, Tehran has reduced this list to 7 points. Which as everything shows are also the basis for any discussion.
The 7 basic terms allegedly being discussed
1) Extension of truce and window of negotiations An extension of the current cease fire for 60 days is provided, so that the diplomatic channel between the USA and Iran is kept open.
2) Opening of the Strait of Hormuz and lifting of naval blockade Iran allegedly commits to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for 60 days without the imposition of fees, while the USA will terminate the naval blockade of the country.
3) Free sale of Iranian oil Iran will be able to export and sell oil without restrictions or sanctions, according to the same reports.
4) Removal of mines in the Strait of Hormuz Tehran will proceed with the demining of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the proposed framework.
5) Nuclear program and sanctions Iran accepts to negotiate the suspension of uranium enrichment and the removal of highly enriched stockpiles. In exchange, the USA will examine a reduction of sanctions and a release of frozen assets of Iran.
6) Withdrawal of American forces from the region In the event of a final agreement, a withdrawal of the American military forces from the wider region is provided, although during the negotiations they will remain on alert.
7) Termination of attacks by Israel in Lebanon The plan allegedly includes the cessation of the Israeli military operations in Lebanon as well.
Unconfirmed framework and diplomatic reservations
This information constitutes part of a draft agreement under formation and has not been officially confirmed by the governments of the two countries. Diplomatic sources emphasize that, due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, any final text may be modified significantly or even not move forward.
The dimension between Israel and Hezbollah
Of particular interest is the fact that the draft mentions that the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon will also be terminated. According to an Israeli official, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concerns about this specific term during a telephone conversation with Donald Trump on Saturday (23/5/2026). The same sources state that he expressed reservations about other points of the agreement as well, however he did so in a respectful and discreet manner. An American official argued that this is not a one sided truce and made it clear that if Hezbollah attempts to rearm or launch attacks, Israel will maintain the right to intervene. If Hezbollah behaves properly, then Israel will also behave properly, he characteristically stated. The same official added that Bibi has his own internal political needs, but Trump must think of the interests of the USA and the global economy, using the well known nickname of Netanyahu.
Draft agreement
According to the Washington Times, the USA and Iran will announce a draft agreement on 24 May 2026. The memorandum of understanding will have 3 phases
1) official termination of the war,
2) resolution of the impasse in the Strait of Hormuz and
3) a time frame of negotiations of 30 days for a broader agreement. An extension is also possible. In the meantime, according to a report from the Tasnim News agency, Iran has not accepted any measure related to its nuclear program at the present stage of the negotiations with the United States.
Trump: The draft memorandum of understanding with Iran has been agreed in general terms
The President of the USA Trump stated that the draft of a future agreement with Iran has been generally agreed. The framework of the agreement has been essentially agreed and is subject to final approval by the United States, the Islamic Republic of Iran and various other countries involved, he wrote on Truth Social. He said that he had spoken by telephone with the leaders of Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey and discussed a draft memorandum of understanding for a peace agreement with Iran. He also spoke with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Earlier, in his interview with Axios, Trump stated that the chances of reaching an agreement with Iran or resuming hostilities were 50-50.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran: Very close the finalization of a memorandum of understanding of 14 points for the termination of the war
Iran and the United States are finalizing a memorandum of 14 points for the termination of the war, the halting of the American maritime aggression and the securing of the release of the frozen assets of Iran, stated the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are now at the stage of completion of this memorandum of understanding. The issues being discussed at this stage focus generally on the termination of the war, the cessation of the naval aggression of the USA - what they themselves have characterized as a naval blockade - and on issues related to the release of the frozen assets of Iran. It emphasized that the focus of Iran at this stage remains exclusively on the termination of the war that was imposed by the USA and Israel based on the 14-point proposal of the Islamic Republic, which has been discussed several times. However the Iranian side states that Iran cannot be absolutely certain that the approaches of the USA will not change again like before. However, it seems that after several weeks of dialogue between the two sides, the process seems to be moving towards a convergence of views. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran reported that our approach was to draft first a memorandum of understanding which will consist of 14 articles. This memorandum will include the most important issues that are necessary for the termination of the war and issues of fundamental importance for Iran. Then, within a reasonable time frame of 30 to 60 days, the two sides will discuss the details of these issues and finally will arrive at a final agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz has nothing to do with the USA
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, the issue of the Strait of Hormuz has nothing to do with America. Iran and Oman, as the coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz, will have to define a mechanism for this. The Strait of Hormuz is included in the memorandum of 14 points.
The issue of the nuclear program is not on the table for the time being
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran: At this stage, we are not discussing the details of the nuclear program. Iran knows that its nuclear program constituted a pretext for two aggressive wars against the Iranian people, adding that the country received illegal attacks even during the negotiations. In subsequent stages – within 30 days, 60 days or whichever time frame is finally agreed – we can discuss the nuclear issue or other mutually agreed issues separately. But at this stage, as mentioned, all our attention is turned to the termination of the war, emphasized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran.
Lifting of all sanctions, permanent demand of Iran
Regarding the issue of sanctions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran said that Iran has made it clear to the American parties that the sanctions are illegal and inhuman. Since Tehran is not discussing details regarding the nuclear program at this stage, it is not discussing the details of the lifting of the sanctions in this short period of time either. However, it emphasized that the demand of Iran for the lifting of all sanctions has been explicitly included in the text.
After the agreement, how much money of Iran will be released
According to a report of the New York Times, the agreement under formation between Iran and the United States provides for the release of approximately 25 billion dollars of Iranian assets that remain frozen abroad. As the newspaper reports, citing three Iranian sources, the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington moves to a later stage the most complex issues related to the nuclear program. These issues, which constitute a key point of disagreement in the negotiations, are expected – according to the report – to constitute the object of a new round of talks within the next 30 to 60 days. The agreement provides, also, for the release of 25 billion dollars of Iranian funds that had been frozen abroad due to sanctions and international restrictions.
Scenarios for withdrawal of American forces from the region
According to a report of the Iranian agency Tasnim, which cites journalistic sources, a framework of a potential comprehensive agreement with particularly broad geopolitical extensions is on the table of the preliminary negotiations between the USA and Iran. One of the key points that, according to the same information, the Iranian side is promoting is the commitment of the USA for a withdrawal of their military forces from the regions around Iran. This demand is integrated, as noted, into the broader framework of the Iranian terms for a possible agreement of de-escalation, which will redefine the balance of power in the wider Middle East.
Channel 12 (Israel): The unknown actions of Qatar and Vance for the USA – Iran talks
The Israeli network Channel 12 broadcast that JD Vance is at the White House, where he is holding a meeting with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, with the object being the negotiations for Iran. According to the report, the meeting focuses on the evaluation of the course of the talks with Tehran and on the next steps that could lead to a possible agreement for the termination of the conflict.
Qatar as an informal channel of communication
As Channel 12 reports, Qatar has emerged in recent weeks as a key but unofficial mediator between the USA and Iran. According to a senior American official cited by the report, Doha is allegedly managing a parallel, behind-the-scenes channel of communication between the two sides. The goal of this initiative is the formation of a framework of agreement that could lead to the termination of the war and to the stabilization of the situation in the region.
Extraordinary meeting of the Israeli security council for Iran
Israeli media broadcast that an extraordinary meeting of the political and security council of Israel is being convened with the focus on the developments around Iran, at a time when the negotiations with the USA show mobility.
Meeting under Benjamin Netanyahu
According to the Israeli Channel Kan, the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to convene in the evening an extraordinary meeting of the security council and political leadership.
Participation of top security officials
As reported, ministers, top military commanders and heads of the security and intelligence services of Israel will participate in the meeting. The composition of the meeting underlines the high degree of operational and strategic importance that is attributed to the current developments around Iran.
Rubio: Significant progress in the talks with Iran
The Secretary of State of the USA Marco Rubio stated today, 24 May 2026, that in the latest negotiations for Iran significant progress, although not definitive, has been recorded, leaving open the possibility of further developments in the coming period. Rubio also emphasized that there might be good news, but not final news, underlining that the process remains underway and has not yet concluded in an agreement.
Not final progress – The negotiations continue under pressure
According to the American Secretary of State, the contacts with Tehran have progressed to a critical point, without a definitive result having been achieved, however. His position captures an environment of fragile diplomacy, where the two sides continue to negotiate basic issues, without however having fully bridged their differences.
Washington Times: USA and Iran will announce a draft agreement on 24 May
The United States and Iran will announce a draft of a peace agreement on 24 May, the Washington Times report. The draft of the proposal was agreed early on Saturday morning and is expected to be announced within 24 hours, the Washington Times reported. President Trump had previously stated that the final draft would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He claimed that the issue of enriched uranium will be resolved satisfactorily. Trump stated to Axios that the chances of reaching a good agreement or blowing up Iran were 50-50. According to the Financial Times, Washington and Tehran are close to an agreement for the extension of the truce for 60 days. According to sources, this agreement will include a gradual opening of the Strait of Hormuz while the highly enriched uranium will not be transferred to the United States. In the framework of the agreement, the Americans allegedly could ease the blockade of the Iranian ports and agree to a lifting of the sanctions and to a gradual release of Iranian assets abroad.
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