President Donald Trump announced on 23 May 2026 that a comprehensive agreement with Iran has been “largely negotiated,” signalling a potential end to the 84-day US-Israel war with Iran that has rattled global oil markets and restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, writing that “An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries.”
The post did not specify a timeline or name all parties to the agreement, as reported by CNN.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio separately confirmed movement in the talks but tempered expectations, saying “significant progress, although not final progress, has been made.”
Rubio’s statement stops short of declaring the deal finalised or setting a signing date.
What the Iran deal 2026 framework covers
The proposed agreement is expected to unfold in two phases. The first addresses Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which would be partially diluted and partially transferred to a third country, with Russia named as a possible recipient.
The second phase, running over approximately 60 days, would focus on a broader nuclear programme agreement between Washington and Tehran.
A central provision in Trump’s announcement involves the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil passes. Iran moved to restrict traffic through the waterway after the war broke out, driving a sustained oil price spike.
The prospect of its reopening sent early signals through energy markets on 23 May.
Iran’s response and what remains unresolved
Iran did not confirm the deal and state media directly contradicted key elements of Trump’s characterisation. Iranian authorities stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains under their control, pushing back on Trump’s assertion that it would be reopened as part of the agreement.
The gap between Washington’s framing of progress and Tehran’s public position introduces significant uncertainty about how close a final deal actually is.
The war, which began in late February 2026 following a military escalation involving US and Israeli forces, has produced heavy casualties on multiple sides and triggered one of the most sustained disruptions to global oil supply since the Gulf War.
The 84-day duration of active fighting has placed it among the longest direct US military engagements of the 21st century.
What happens next in the Iran deal 2026 talks
Negotiations are ongoing and no finalisation date has been set publicly. Rubio’s statement leaves room for the talks to collapse before a formal agreement is reached.
A 60-day window for nuclear-specific negotiations would mean active diplomatic engagement between the two countries continuing through late July 2026, assuming both sides remain at the table.
