What to Know About the Stalled U.S.–Iran Talks Over a Fragile Ceasefire Deal
Washington and Tehran are attempting to build a 60-day diplomatic framework to extend a fragile ceasefire into a broader agreement, but talks remain stalled over key disputes including Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington, (Somali Report) — Efforts to transform the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran into a broader political settlement remain mired in disputes over sequencing, enforcement, sanctions relief and regional security arrangements, highlighting the complexity of negotiations that could reshape the Middle East and have far-reaching implications for the Horn of Africa.
The proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU), expected to form the basis for a 60-day diplomatic process between Washington and Tehran, is reportedly a short document covering a limited number of core issues. Yet despite its modest length, negotiations have proven difficult, with both sides scrutinizing every clause and debating the order in which commitments should be implemented.
A central question remains whether the proposed 60-day process would be considered an extension of the current ceasefire or a definitive end to hostilities following months of confrontation involving the United States, Iran and Israel.
Speaking earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for a clear diplomatic framework.
“We have to have a diplomatic solution that is very clear on the topics they are willing to negotiate on and the extent of the concessions they are willing to make at the front end in order to make it worthwhile,” Rubio said.
The latest negotiations follow months of military escalation and diplomatic maneuvering including growing tensions surrounding Iran’s regional posture, ongoing U.S.-Iran talks, and concerns that strategic competition could increasingly affect the Horn of Africa.
Tentative Agreement, Continuing Disputes
U.S. officials said Thursday that Washington and Tehran had reached a tentative understanding aimed at converting the existing ceasefire into a more durable arrangement.
However, momentum slowed after President Donald Trump publicly outlined a series of demands concerning navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program and the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad.
Iranian officials reacted critically.
The semi-official Fars News Agency described Trump's statements as “a mixture of truth and falsehood” intended to create what it called a “manufactured victory.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei similarly dismissed Washington’s language.
“The ‘musts’ that the Americans bring up are actually requests,” Baghaei said.
The differing interpretations underscore how much remains unresolved despite indications that both sides wish to avoid renewed military confrontation.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking in Singapore on Saturday, said President Trump remained patient regarding the negotiations.
According to Hegseth, Trump believes any final agreement must ultimately be “a good one” and worth pursuing even if negotiations take time.
Strait of Hormuz at Center of Negotiations
The second round of nuclear talks concluded in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 17, 2026 [Cyril Zingaro/AFP]
One of the most immediate issues concerns reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.
The waterway has experienced significant disruption over the past three months, contributing to higher global energy prices and uncertainty across shipping markets.
Trump has demanded unrestricted passage.
“The Hormuz Strait must be immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions,” he said.
Under proposals reportedly being discussed, Iran would gradually restore shipping activity through the strait to pre-war levels over a 30-day period while the United States lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Yet significant disagreements remain.
Washington insists on free navigation through international waters, while Tehran maintains that it retains a legitimate role in regulating traffic through the strait in cooperation with neighboring Oman.
Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission, reiterated Tehran’s position.
“Iran’s control measures and arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz are permanent in nature and certainly not temporary,” he said.
Another major sticking point concerns the synchronization of U.S. sanctions relief and Iran’s demand for the immediate lifting of restrictions on its ports.
According to U.S. Central Command, 115 commercial vessels had been redirected by May 29 as part of efforts to prevent commerce from entering or leaving Iranian ports.
Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, accused Washington of undermining negotiations.
“By continuing the naval blockade and making excessive demands in negotiations, he has once again proven that he is not inclined toward negotiation and is pursuing other objectives,” Rezaei said.
Iranian media have claimed the draft memorandum includes provisions for a U.S. military withdrawal from areas near Iran, though President Trump has not publicly confirmed such an arrangement.
Nuclear Program Remains Core Obstacle
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The most sensitive component of any future agreement remains Iran’s nuclear program.
Once the memorandum is signed, negotiators are expected to begin a 60-day process focused largely on uranium enrichment, stockpiles and long-term verification mechanisms.
Iran is believed to possess more than 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, material that can potentially be used in the production of nuclear weapons if further enriched.
Trump again reiterated Washington’s position.
“Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon,” he stated.
The U.S. president also claimed that highly enriched uranium buried following previous U.S. strikes could eventually be recovered and destroyed through a joint operation.
Iranian media quickly rejected that assertion.
Further disagreements persist regarding whether Iran would transfer uranium stocks abroad. Russia has repeatedly expressed willingness to receive the material, but Trump has opposed sending it to either Russia or China.
Azizi rejected the idea outright.
“Iran does not intend to transfer its enriched uranium to a third country,” he said.
Sources familiar with the negotiations suggest Washington has floated the possibility of a 20-year suspension of uranium enrichment, while Tehran favors a significantly shorter timeframe.
Economic Relief and Frozen Assets
Pakistan officials welcoming U.S Vice president Vance arriving Islamabad for talks with Iran delegations
Economic issues represent another critical pillar of the negotiations.
Iran’s economy was already under severe pressure before the latest conflict and has deteriorated further amid military confrontation and sanctions.
A message attributed to Supreme Leader Khamenei urged lawmakers to prioritize reconstruction, economic stability and recovery from wartime damage.
Tehran is pressing for the release of billions of dollars in frozen overseas assets.
However, U.S. officials have indicated that any asset release would likely occur only after shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes normally.
Trump reinforced that position.
“No money will be exchanged, until further notice,” he said.
Iranian media reports suggest approximately $24 billion in frozen assets could eventually be released if an agreement is finalized.
Discussions have also reportedly explored creating a reconstruction fund financed primarily by Gulf states to assist Iran’s post-war recovery.
Iranian officials previously estimated that U.S. and Israeli military strikes caused approximately $270 billion in damage.
Sanctions and Lebanon Remain Unresolved
Negotiators must also address broader sanctions and regional conflicts.
U.S. officials continue to link sanctions relief to progress on Iran’s nuclear file and the restoration of maritime commerce.
Iran, meanwhile, argues that meaningful economic relief is essential for any agreement to succeed.
Baghaei emphasized that many details remain unresolved.
“Details must be negotiated after the memorandum is finalized,” he said.
The conflict involving Hezbollah in Lebanon also remains a source of uncertainty.
Iranian officials have repeatedly argued that any settlement should apply to all active fronts, including Lebanon, where clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah continue despite previous ceasefire efforts.
The Trump administration, however, has reaffirmed support for Israel’s ability to respond to perceived threats across the region.
About the Author
Mike Manyibe is a regional journalist at the Somali Report, specialising in geopolitics, security, and foreign affairs across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.