U.S. and Iran Continue Negotiations Despite Tit-for-Tat Airstrikes... "MOU Awaits Trump's Decision"

60-Day Ceasefire Extension MOU Awaits Trump’s Approval
Disagreements Remain Over Nuclear and Hormuz Issues
U.S. Increases Economic Pressure, Separate from Negotiations
Sporadic Military Clashes Continue in the Strait of Hormuz

As sporadic military clashes continue between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, it has been confirmed that last-minute negotiations are underway over a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) to extend the ceasefire by 60 days. U.S. media outlets have reported that only President Donald Trump's final approval remains, but the Iranian side has refuted this, stating that "nothing has been finalized yet." As a result, the end-of-war negotiations have entered a tense standoff in the final stage.

Scott Bessent, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, is arriving through Incheon International Airport on May 13, 2026. Photo by Dongju Yoon

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent acknowledged the ongoing negotiations during a White House briefing on the 28th (local time) when asked about the agreement to extend the ceasefire with Iran for another 60 days. He said, "The negotiating teams are still going back and forth," confirming the progress of the talks. However, he avoided giving a direct answer regarding a final agreement, saying, "It's always a mistake to get ahead of the president."

At the same briefing, Secretary Bessent reaffirmed President Trump's "red lines." He cited ▲ the removal of Iran's highly enriched uranium ▲ abandonment of nuclear weapons development ▲ guarantees of free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "There can be no agreement without such conditions." He further stressed, "President Trump will not accept a bad deal that disadvantages the United States."

Final Adjustments on End-of-War MOU... Tensions Over Key Issues of Nuclear Program and Strait of Hormuz

The New York Times (NYT), citing three U.S. officials, reported that the United States and Iran are close to agreeing on a framework for extending the ceasefire and resuming nuclear negotiations. Axios reported that the two sides have effectively agreed on a draft MOU for a 60-day extension, with only President Trump's final approval pending.

The memorandum is said to include guarantees of free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, removal of sea mines within 30 days, phased lifting of U.S. maritime blockades, and some sanctions relief. In return, Iran is reportedly coordinating to put abandonment of nuclear weapons development and the handling of highly enriched uranium on the negotiating table.

Pars News Agency CI

However, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, citing a source familiar with the negotiations, denied this, stating, "The text of the MOU has not yet been finalized." The source claimed, "Iran has not informed Pakistan, the mediator, of any finalization," and added, "Claims by Western sources that a deal has been reached are not credible."

The biggest issues in the negotiations are nuclear development and funds. The United States is demanding Iran's handling of highly enriched uranium and limits on nuclear enrichment, while Iran is reportedly demanding the release of frozen assets worth about 24 billion dollars and gradual sanctions relief.

U.S. Ramps Up Economic Pressure on Iran, Separate from Negotiations

Separately from the negotiations, the United States has ramped up its economic pressure on Iran. Secretary Bessent announced plans to block landing, refueling, and ticket sales for two Iranian state-owned airlines. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has also added the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), recently established by Iran under the pretext of managing transit through the Strait of Hormuz, to its sanctions list.

In particular, the United States sent a strong warning regarding Iran's attempt, together with Oman, to impose tolls on civilian vessels. Secretary Bessent stated, "Any entity enabling the collection of transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz could become a target of aggressive sanctions by the U.S. Treasury." President Trump also warned the previous day, "The Strait of Hormuz will remain completely open," and added, "Oman will act like other countries. Otherwise, we will blow it away."

On the ground, tensions remain high even as the ceasefire holds. From the previous night to the early hours of the day, the United States and Iran exchanged retaliatory airstrikes near the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military announced that it struck Iranian drones and launch facilities that threatened merchant vessels, while Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have fired ballistic missiles at U.S. military bases in Kuwait. Kuwait announced it had intercepted these missiles.

According to Iran's Pars and Tasnim News Agencies, the Iranian military launched missiles at specific targets in the southern region, and a maritime explosion occurred during warning shots at vessels attempting unauthorized passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities stated that media reports suggesting explosions between Bushehr and Hormuzgan have not been confirmed.

However, neither side appears to be moving to break off negotiations entirely. Secretary Bessent said, "We are patient, but our patience is not unlimited," but also emphasized, "President Trump always prefers a peace agreement." He warned, "If it is determined that a peaceful settlement is impossible, kinetic military action could resume."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.