Israel and the militant group later agreed to renew their ceasefire, three officials said.

Word of the ceasefire came from two regional officials and a U.S. official. The truce was mediated by Qatar, the U.S. and Iran, the regional officials said. The three officials were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Vance’s push to get Iran talks started hits an early bump as weekend negotiations are put on hold

ZURICH (AP) — The U.S. push to start high-stakes talks with Iran has hit a snag just days just after the two countries agreed to reopen negotiations about Iran’s nuclear program and get oil traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Vice President JD Vance was set to fly to Switzerland for talks with his Iranian counterparts, but the trip was abruptly scratched. Iran reportedly delayed sending its delegation due to Israel’s military actions in Lebanon. Iran’s supreme leader has endorsed direct negotiations, signaling a potential start to talks. The White House in a statement noted “the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable.”

U.S. lifts blockade of Iran and Iranian supreme leader endorses direct talks with American officials

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. lifted its blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began freely moving through the Strait of Hormuz after months of being unable to use the critical channel. It happened Thursday as the tentative agreement to end the war took effect. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance announced that he may postpone a trip to Switzerland that had been planned for Friday and included a ceremonial signing of the deal. The visit might have helped start talks on the next, potentially even more critical, round of negotiations between the two sides. Hours later, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei endorsed direct negotiations with the U.S. in a statement read by state media.

Vance, skeptical of foreign wars, becomes the face of Trump’s tentative deal to end war with Iran

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN – APRIL 12: Vice President JD Vance speaks during a news conference after meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Iran, April 12, 2026 in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin – Pool/Getty Images)

The draft proposal includes provisions for an immediate ceasefire and measures intended to improve regional stability. It also calls for restoring freedom of navigation through key waterways and supporting the safe movement of commercial shipping in the region.

The framework addresses economic issues as well. It outlines potential sanctions relief and access to certain Iranian financial assets as part of a phased process tied to future commitments. Several of these measures would depend on continued talks and verification steps agreed upon by both sides.

Nuclear issues remain a central part of the proposal. Iran would commit not to pursue nuclear weapons, while additional discussions would determine how broader nuclear-related concerns would be addressed in a final agreement.
The document is described as an initial framework rather than a completed deal. Many details would still require negotiation, and several provisions leave room for further clarification as diplomatic discussions continue.

In a post on X he said the deal shall enter into force with immediate effect and as a first step, Iran will instantly reopen the strait of Hormuz and the US will immediately lift the naval blockade.

Both sides will reportedly negotiate nuclear issues during a 60 day cease fire. President Trump threatened further military action in the event Iran does not keep its’ promises. The Islamic Republic is obligated to dilute their uranium supply under the agreement.

Leaders fom the United States and Iran are expected to have a formal memorandum signing ceremony Friday in Switzerland.

(Copyright 2026 WBAP/KLIF Newsroom News.  All rights reserved.  Contains material from the Associated Press.)

Senior U.S. officials dictated the memorandum of understanding with Iran to journalists after days of secrecy, and Iran suggested that its deal with the United States could be signed by Presidents Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian.

Such an signing ceremony would represent a major step for the two countries, which saw diplomatic relations break off in 1980 over the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis in Tehran. The accord is due to be signed Friday in Switzerland. The U.S. officials spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity to read the the draft, which Iran has not released.

The interim deal between the U.S. and Iran is supposed to usher in a two-month period that would address the most divisive issue between the longtime adversaries — Tehran’s nuclear program. Preventing Iran from attaining a nuclear bomb is a key reason that President Donald Trump said he launched the war alongside Israel in February, but the tentative agreement he has trumpeted leaves little runway to negotiate the long-running sticking point.

The previous nuclear pact between Iran and world powers, which Trump pulled the U.S. from in his first term, took many months to negotiate. There’s deep skepticism among Republican and Democratic lawmakers and others that the deal would have any effect on nuclear talks.

(Copyright 2026 WBAP/KLIF Newsroom News.  All rights reserved.  Contains material from the Associated Press.)

Trump said the agreement would state clearly that Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon. CNN reported that some officials privately described the current text as vague and said it does not yet reflect certain back-channel commitments tied to the negotiations.

The situation has raised questions about transparency and congressional review. Some lawmakers have asked to see the full document before judging what it does or does not require from Iran.

Trump said he would consider sending the agreement to Congress once the signing process is complete. Until the text is released, the exact terms remain unclear.

The agreement comes amid continued attention on Iran’s nuclear program and broader security concerns in the Middle East. Further talks are expected as officials work through unresolved details.

The deal is described by officials as a broad framework meant to reduce tensions, extend a fragile ceasefire, and create space for more negotiations. It could also affect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies.

Still, major questions remain. The agreement does not appear to fully settle disputes over Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, enforcement, or wider regional conflicts involving Israel and Iranian-backed groups.

US officials have suggested more details may be released soon, while also acknowledging that the current document leaves several issues for later talks.

For now, the agreement marks a diplomatic step, not a final settlement. Its impact will depend on whether both sides follow through and whether future negotiations can resolve the harder questions still on the table.