Top Iranian negotiators are in Qatar for talks to extend a 60-day ceasefire with the U.S. and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. The deal, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, would also unfreeze billions in Iranian assets and initiate talks on Iran's nuclear program. President Trump says talks are 'proceeding nicely' but warns the alternative is a return to conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28.
Iranian negotiators Qatar ceasefire talks
- ▪Hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough caused Brent crude oil prices to fall 5.2% to $98.15 a barrel on May 25, 2026
- ▪Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei blamed the U.S. for delays in reaching a deal, stating Washington was changing its position
- ▪Iran's central bank governor, Abdolnaser Hemmati, also traveled to Qatar to discuss the release of Iran's frozen assets, including $6 billion held in Qatar
- ▪Top Iranian negotiators, including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, traveled to Qatar on May 25, 2026, for ceasefire talks
- ▪The talks, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, aim to extend a fragile ceasefire with Washington by 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz
Trump administration Iran deal strategy
- ▪The proposed deal requires Iran to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz, remove mines, and not charge shipping fees for 60 days
- ▪U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was a "pretty solid thing on the table" for opening the strait and starting nuclear negotiations
- ▪President Trump previously tempered expectations for an imminent deal, stating it "isn’t even fully negotiated yet" and telling his team "not to rush"
- ▪In exchange for reopening the strait, the U.S. would ease its naval blockade on Iranian ports and provide phased sanctions relief
- ▪President Donald Trump stated the uranium must be turned over to the U.S. or destroyed in place with international witnesses
- ▪On May 25, 2026, President Donald Trump described the negotiations as "proceeding nicely" but warned the alternative is a return to conflict
- ▪The agreement would also initiate talks on Iran's nuclear program, focusing on its stockpile of highly enriched uranium
US military strikes on Iran
- ▪Iran responded to the initial attacks by firing barrages of missiles and drones at Gulf states
- ▪A fragile ceasefire has been in place between the warring parties since April 8
- ▪Iran wants any final agreement to end the war on "all fronts," including the conflict between Israel and Hizbollah in Lebanon
- ▪The current conflict began on February 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on the Islamic republic of Iran
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