US and Iran are close to agreement aimed at ending the war, officials say

By SABRINA PENTY, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 18:18, 23 May 2026 | Updated: 18:29, 23 May 2026 The US and Iran are close to agreeing on a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war, regional officials have said.   Iran signalled 'narrowing differences' in negotiations with the US after Pakistan's army chief held more talks in Tehran, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists in India that 'there's been some progress made' and 'there may be news later today'.  According to two officials and a diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity, there is hope that a final decision on the Pakistan-prepared draft could come within 48 hours as both sides review it. They said US Vice President JD Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner played significant roles in helping bridge remaining gaps, and that Qatar played a key role by sending a senior official to Tehran to support Pakistan's mediation efforts. Still, both Iran and the US emphasised their key positions and have warned of the risks of resuming attacks. Iran state TV quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as describing the draft as a 'framework agreement' and adding: 'We want this to include the main issues required for ending the imposed war and other issues of essential importance to us.  'Then, over a reasonable time span, between 30 to 60 days, details are discussed, and ultimately a final agreement is reached.' He said the Strait of Hormuz is among the topics discussed. In this handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) meets with Pakistan's Army Chief Syed Asim Munir in Tehran on May 23, 2026 A plume of smoke rises after a strike on the Iranian capital of Tehran on March 5, 2026 Positions have moved closer in recent days, Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted Baghaei as saying. 'Over the past week, the trend has been toward narrowing differences,' he said. 'We will have to wait and see what happens over the next three or four days.' Baghaei said nuclear issues are not part of the current negotiations, as Tehran first seeks to end the war before discussing its nuclear program that has long been at the heart of international tensions. 'Our focus at this stage is on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon,' Baghaei said, adding that lifting sanctions on Tehran 'has explicitly been included in the text and remains our fixed position.' Rubio, in New Delhi, said that 'even as I speak to you now, there is some work being done. There is a chance that, whether it's later today, tomorrow, in a couple of days, we may have something to say.' Rubio repeated the US stance that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and must turn over its highly enriched uranium, and the Strait of Hormuz must be open. Iran has rebuilt military assets after weeks of war and then a fragile ceasefire, parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said after the meeting with Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir, state TV reported. Qalibaf, the lead negotiator in historic face-to-face talks with the US last month, also said the result would be 'more crushing and more bitter' than at the start of the war if US President Donald Trump resumes attacks. Trump earlier said he was holding off on a military strike against Iran because 'serious negotiations' were underway, and at the request of allies in the Middle East. Trump has repeatedly set deadlines for Tehran and then backed off. The US and Israel sparked the war with attacks on Feb. 28, cutting short talks with Iran. Tehran retaliated by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the region's oil, natural gas and fertiliser, causing global economic pain. Image shows damage in a residential building after it was hit by US-Israel strikes in Tehran, Iran on March 5, 2026 The US then blockaded Iranian ports, and the US Central Command on Saturday said US forces had turned away more than 100 commercial vessels and disabled four since the blockade began on April 13. On his visit to Tehran, Pakistan's army chief also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials, the two officials said, adding that Islamabad continues efforts to arrange a second round of direct negotiations. It was not clear whether Munir met with Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, who heads Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, has become a major player in formulating Iran's tough stance in talks. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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