Day 86 of Iran War: Trump Announces Preliminary Deal Amid 'Cloud of Doubt'

U.S. President Donald Trump said on May 23 that a memorandum of understanding with Iran has been “largely negotiated” and would reopen the Strait of Hormuz—a vital oil shipping route closed since the U.S. and Israel launched a war in February. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, acting as mediator, said the next round of talks between the U.S. and Iran would take place “very soon.”

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Sunday that “meaningful progress” had been made, providing grounds for optimism that a positive and sustainable outcome could be within reach. However, Iran’s Fars news agency rejected some of Trump’s claims, reporting that the draft agreement would leave Iran in control of the strait and calling Trump’s assertions “not in line with reality.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to convene a security cabinet meeting this evening to discuss the potential deal, according to Israeli media.

U.S. Side

Trump posted on social media that the emerging deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz—a critical maritime route whose closure has triggered a global energy crisis. He did not specify what other terms would be included.

On Truth Social, Trump described the deal as a “Memorandum of Understanding regarding PEACE” that still “can be finalized” among the U.S., Iran, and “many other countries,” adding that all “final aspects and details of the Agreement are being discussed and will be announced soon.”

Trump said the progress followed phone calls with Israel and key regional allies, and “the Strait of Hormuz will be opened,” offering the prospect of easing tensions in global energy markets.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to India, said “significant progress” had been made in resolving the Strait of Hormuz situation. He also accused Iran of funding “terrorism” worldwide and stressed that Tehran must never possess nuclear weapons.

Iran Side

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei acknowledged “a trend of reconciliation” with Washington but said “that does not necessarily mean we and the U.S. will reach an agreement on important issues.” “Our intention first is to draft a memorandum, a kind of framework agreement,” he said on state television. Baghaei added that he hoped the details of the final agreement could be finalized “within a reasonable period of 30 to 60 days” after the initial framework is complete.

The Tasnim news agency reported that the naval blockade must be fully lifted within 30 days, as per the memorandum proposal, and said at least part of Iran’s frozen assets must be released in the initial phase.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said no decision on a deal with the U.S. would be made without the permission of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi in Tehran said it was “too early” to consider the memorandum a “victory.” “There is still a cloud of doubt from Tehran’s perspective toward the U.S.,” he said. “Whether this will end as a lasting solution or another round of confrontation—we must wait and see.”

Iran’s Football Federation said the national team is relocating its World Cup training camp to Mexico after FIFA approved a request to move from Tucson, Arizona.

In Lebanon

Lebanon’s Civil Defense announced that its regional facility in the southern city of Nabatieh was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. An Israeli soldier was killed near the border with Lebanon, bringing the total number of soldiers killed in fighting with Hezbollah since March 2 to 22, despite a ceasefire supposed to be in effect since April 22.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem received a message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, saying the latest proposal through Pakistan’s mediation to end the war emphasizes “the requirement to include Lebanon” in a broader ceasefire.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said Israeli attacks have killed 3,123 people since March 2—the day the war between Israel and Hezbollah escalated again.

In Gaza

A pre-dawn Israeli airstrike killed three members of a Palestinian family, including a one-year-old boy, in central Gaza, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. British and Irish activists from the Global Sumud Solidarity Mission heading to Gaza, who were abducted on international waters and later deported by Israel, have returned to London and Dublin.