GENEVA — The United States and Iran signaled progress toward a potential agreement to ease tensions in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, even as limited clashes continued in the vital waterway, according to officials from both sides and mediators.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has helped mediate the talks, said a “final, agreed upon text” of a memorandum of understanding had been reached and that Pakistan was working with both parties to finalize next steps, his office stated.
The proposed framework would extend a fragile ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, officials familiar with the discussions said. Negotiations have focused on the strategic waterway, through which about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas passes, amid a broader conflict that began earlier in 2026.
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media earlier this week that an agreement with Iran was largely negotiated and would include reopening the strait, though he cautioned negotiators not to rush. Iranian officials have described the positions of the two sides as drawing closer on a memorandum of understanding that could lead to further talks on Iran’s nuclear program.
Recent days have seen mixed signals. Iranian forces have imposed restrictions on shipping in the strait in response to U.S. actions, including a naval blockade of Iranian ports, while U.S. officials reported shooting down Iranian drones attempting to target vessels, defense officials said.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said breakthroughs had been made in recent meetings involving Qatari mediators, though final approval from leaders on both sides remained pending. Details on specific commitments, including any timeline for reopening the strait or sanctions relief, were not immediately public.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the memorandum had “never been closer,” while urging restraint in speculation about its contents, according to Iranian state media.
The developments come after months of indirect and mediated talks, punctuated by periods of escalation including U.S. strikes on Iranian targets and Iranian restrictions in the strait. Both sides have accused the other of violating ceasefire understandings.
As of Friday, no formal signing had been announced. Officials indicated that any agreement would serve as an initial step toward broader de-escalation rather than a comprehensive peace treaty. Further discussions on implementation were expected in the coming days.
