President Trump stated on May 23, 2026, that a deal to end the conflict with Iran would be announced soon, with negotiations on the final aspects ongoing. Trump's remarks followed discussions with various Arab and Muslim leaders, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking a significant indication of his willingness to agree to a memorandum of understanding with Iran.
A U.S. official informed Axios that the deal is nearly complete, although some wording issues remain. The agreement aims to end the war, gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and initiate further negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program over the next 30 days.
Several Republican leaders have expressed opposition to the deal, and Netanyahu has advised Trump to consider military action against Iran instead. Trump described his conversation with Netanyahu as positive.
In addition to Netanyahu, Trump spoke with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan, who reportedly urged him to pursue the deal. A regional source indicated that the leaders conveyed a unified message to end the war for regional stability.
The mediators hope to finalize a one-page framework agreement soon, with detailed negotiations expected to follow shortly after. Vice President Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth were recalled to Washington for discussions about the deal.
Earlier in the day, Trump mentioned that he would meet with negotiators to review Iran's latest offer and would decide by Sunday whether to continue the conflict. He assessed the likelihood of reaching a satisfactory deal as a "solid 50/50."
Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has been mediating between the parties, left Tehran after discussions with Iranian officials, reporting encouraging progress toward an agreement. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed that discussions on the memorandum of understanding are in the final stages, which would also address reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the U.S. blockade, and releasing frozen Iranian assets, followed by a 30-60 day negotiation period for a detailed agreement.