The United States and Iran have established the preliminary framework of a deal to end their recent military conflict, though several key disagreements remain before a final agreement can be reached, according to senior U.S. officials. 

Vice President JD Vance struck a cautious but optimistic tone on Thursday evening, stating that while the administration believes Iranian officials are negotiating in "good faith," it remains too early to confirm when or if a final deal will be signed by President Donald Trump and the Iranian leadership.

Key Terms Under Negotiation

According to briefing reports, the proposed agreement aims to formalize a comprehensive diplomatic roadmap:

• Ceasefire Extension: The deal would extend the current temporary ceasefire—which went into effect on April 8—for an additional 60 days to facilitate long-term stabilization talks.

• Nuclear Oversight: The extension would launch technical negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. continues to demand that Iran halt the production of highly enriched uranium and safely dispose of its existing stockpiles.

• Maritime and Sanctions Relief: The agreement reportedly outlines the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports and the issuance of sanctions waivers to allow Iran to resume international oil sales. In return, Iran would have 30 days to clear naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz, restoring unrestricted commercial shipping under the joint management of Iran and Oman.

"We're not there yet, but we're very close and we're going to keep on working at it," Vice President Vance told reporters, noting that negotiators are currently resolving specific language points regarding uranium enrichment.

Conflicting Reports and Domestic Pressure

Despite optimistic signals from Washington, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the agreement has neither been finalized nor officially confirmed by Tehran. Earlier in the week, Iranian state media published a purported 14-point memorandum of understanding, which included the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from the region. The White House subsequently dismissed that draft as a "complete fabrication."

President Trump is currently facing mounting domestic and international pressure to secure a conclusion to the war. Concerns regarding the duration and economic impact of the conflict have been raised by a bipartisan coalition in Congress, as well as critical allies in the Gulf State region.

A Treasury Department briefing led by Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that President Trump has been briefed on the tentative proposal by Axios and other outlets, but will take several days to review the parameters before making a final decision. Trump and defense officials have explicitly warned that "Option B"—a return to active combat operations—remains on the table if talks collapse.

Ongoing Maritime Instability

The urgency of the diplomatic track is underscored by the critical economic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime chokepoint through which one-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas and oil traffic passes. The ongoing conflict and blockade have significantly disrupted global energy markets.

The diplomatic friction is further compounded by localized violations of the fragile April 8 ceasefire. On Thursday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for targeting a U.S. military base in the region, citing retaliatory measures following alleged U.S. airstrikes in southern Iran. Additionally, Iranian state media claimed local forces had downed a U.S. military aircraft. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) swiftly rejected the claim in a public statement, confirming that all U.S. air assets remain fully accounted for.