Summary

As of May 24, 2026, the United States and Iran remain in advanced negotiations over a comprehensive agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. According to a Senior Trump Administration Official, the deal is “95% done” but unsigned, with both sides still resolving final language. The proposed agreement is structured in two sequential phases: an initial 60-day ceasefire extension and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, followed by the verified, physical surrender of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile as the sole precondition for any sanctions relief. The United States has provided no upfront concessions and maintains the naval blockade in full force. Operation Epic Fury has substantially degraded Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure, materially reducing Tehran’s leverage at the table. President Trump has instructed his negotiating team not to rush, and has publicly pushed back against what he described as widespread inaccurate media reporting on the talks.

 

Detailed Report

1. Negotiation Status: 95% Complete, Unsigned, Conditions Unresolved

The US-Iran agreement is at an advanced but incomplete stage. A Senior Trump Administration Official, as relayed by Scott Jennings, confirmed the deal is “95% done” but remains unsigned, with both sides “haggling over some language.” The official emphasized that Iran has agreed in principle to the overall framework, but “literally changing words sometimes requires days in Iran’s system.” The administration has set a high bar for closure, stating, “If we get what we are demanding, this is going to be a historic deal.” However, the US side is prepared to walk away if only a “bad deal” is on offer, and acknowledges the agreement could still fall apart. President Trump reinforced this posture in a Truth Social post, noting, “There has been a lot of inaccurate reporting about the Iran deal. Many in the media are commenting on a deal they have not seen, and do not understand.” He confirmed he has instructed his representatives “not to rush into a deal,” adding that negotiations are proceeding “in an orderly and constructive manner” and that “the relationship with Iran is much more professional and productive than before.” These remarks directly counter a wave of media speculation, some of it, according to the official, deliberately seeded by hardline elements within Iran’s government.

 

2. Phase One: 60-Day Ceasefire Extension and Strait of Hormuz Reopening

The first phase of the agreement centers on a 60-day ceasefire extension and the restored, unconditional flow of maritime commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. The initial deal point, as described by the Senior Trump Administration Official, is to “re-establish free flow of commerce by reopening Strait of Hormuz.” Iran is required to clear naval mines, guarantee free passage to all commercial vessels, and accept a blanket prohibition on tolls, fees, or any restriction on international shipping. Human Events reporting details that Phase One is designed to “give world economy breathing room” and stabilize global energy markets. The US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in full effect and will not be lifted until the agreement is formally signed and independently certified. This sequencing is non-negotiable: Iran cannot benefit from any restoration of commerce or removal of US naval pressure until its Phase One obligations are fully met.

 

3. Phase Two: Physical Surrender of Enriched Uranium as Non-Negotiable Precondition

Phase Two of the agreement requires Iran to physically surrender its entire stockpile of enriched uranium before it receives any sanctions relief, access to frozen assets, or economic benefit of any kind. The Senior Trump Administration Official’s position is categorical: “Iran must turn over nuclear stockpile to get anything. USA position is that failure to meet deal commitments means Iran gets nothing.” Human Events confirms this framing, describing the physical handover of Iran’s enriched uranium as a non-negotiable precondition for any financial benefit, with no release of funds, no sanctions waivers, and no economic incentives provided until the transfer is independently certified. The long-term strategic objective, as stated by the official, is “preventing Iran from having [a] nuclear weapon.” President Trump has publicly refuted claims of unconditional US concessions, stating, “Our deal is the exact opposite, but nobody has seen it, or knows what it is.”

 

4. US Strategic Leverage: Naval Blockade and Degraded Iranian Missile Capacity

The United States enters the final phase of negotiations from a position of measurable military and economic superiority. The US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in full force and constitutes the central instrument of coercive pressure. Human Events notes that the blockade will remain operational until the agreement is signed and its terms independently certified—Tehran cannot access export revenues, restore oil flows, or relieve commercial pressure until it has satisfied both phases of the deal. Operation Epic Fury has compounded Iran’s disadvantage by substantially degrading its ballistic missile industrial base, materially reducing Iran’s capacity to project military force regionally. This has stripped Tehran of leverage that missile capability would otherwise provide. Combined with the sustained naval presence, these factors ensure that the United States holds decisive leverage at every stage of the negotiation and through the implementation period that follows.

  

Conclusion

The US-Iran nuclear negotiations are at a critical juncture: 95% complete by the administration’s own assessment, but unsigned and subject to further change. The United States has maintained strict conditionality, full military leverage, and a clear two-phase structure that sequentially addresses global energy security and nuclear non-proliferation. President Trump and his senior officials have publicly and emphatically refuted claims of unconditional US concessions. If the remaining language disputes are resolved on American terms, the administration anticipates a signing ceremony involving very senior US officials and describes the potential outcome as a “historic deal.”