US and Iran Near War-Ending Framework as Trump Threatens Renewed Bombing

The White House believes it is within days of securing a one-page memorandum of understanding with Iran that would permanently end the war and launch a month of detailed negotiations. The US expects an Iranian response within 48 hours, according to Axios.

The 14-point document, crafted by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner alongside Iranian officials, would require Iran to halt all uranium enrichment and ship its highly enriched uranium stockpile out of the country. In exchange, Washington would lift some sanctions and release billions in frozen Iranian funds. Both sides would also ease restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of world oil supplies normally flow.

The proposed framework would declare an end to the war — including in Lebanon, where Israel has been battling Hezbollah — and trigger 30 days of deeper negotiations. The US is seeking at minimum a 12-year enrichment moratorium, with snap UN inspections and a permanent commitment never to pursue nuclear weapons.

Trump signaled support Wednesday on Truth Social, writing that the blockade and military campaign would end if Iran accepts. He also renewed his threats: “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be at a much higher level and intensity than before.”

Iranian officials sent mixed signals. Foreign Minister Araghchi pledged to protect Iran’s “legitimate rights,” while a senior parliamentarian dismissed the Axios report as “more of an American wish list than a reality.” Tehran said it would convey its position to mediator Pakistan after finalizing its views.

Israel said it had not been briefed that a deal was imminent — though Netanyahu’s office quickly denied being caught off guard. Jerusalem’s primary concern is Iran’s ballistic missile program, which the current framework does not address.

Shipping through Hormuz has nearly ground to a halt, with marine analysts recording just one vessel transit Monday and none Tuesday. Before the conflict, roughly 120 vessels passed through daily.