US, Iran move toward temporary deal to halt fighting

• Iran reviewing US proposal ahead of follow-up talks
• Key disputes remain unresolved
• One-page memo leaves out major US nuclear demands
• “We remain optimistic,” says mediator Pakistan

The United States and Iran are reportedly moving toward a limited, temporary agreement to halt their ongoing war, according to Reuters citing sources and officials familiar with the negotiations.

Rather than a comprehensive peace treaty, the emerging plan centers on a short-term memorandum of understanding aimed at stabilizing the region while leaving the most contentious issues for future discussion.

The proposal, which comes after weeks of intense mediation led by Pakistan, reflects a scaling back of ambitions from both Washington and Tehran.

Both sides appear to have accepted that a sweeping settlement -particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear program- is not immediately reachable.

Proposed three-stage framework

According to mediation sources, the deal would unfold in three distinct phases designed to de-escalate the conflict without requiring immediate concessions on long-term ideological goals:

Formal end to hostilities: Transitioning the current fragile ceasefire (in place since April 7) into a formal end to the state of war.

Strait of Hormuz crisis: Stabilizing shipping lanes and lifting blockades to restore the global flow of oil.

The 30-day window: Launching a month-long period of direct, intensive negotiations to hammer out a broader, permanent agreement.

Key obstacles and omissions

Despite the optimism expressed by US President Donald Trump, who told reporters on Wednesday that a deal is "very possible" and could happen "quickly," significant gaps remain.

Nuclear deadlock: The current draft memorandum reportedly does not address the fate of Iran’s 400 kg stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium, a central demand for the US and 'Israel'.

Proxy groups & missiles: Constraints on Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for regional proxies like Hezbollah are notably absent from the one-page memo.

Iranian skepticism: While Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been in active contact with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, some Iranian lawmakers have dismissed the US proposal as an "American wish list" rather than a realistic framework.