U.S. and Iran reach 60-day ceasefire extension pending Trump approval

The U.S. and Iran have reached an agreement on a 60-day memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire and launch negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, but President Trump still needs to give final approval. Axios reported the development on Thursday, citing two U.S. officials. The tentative agreement would give Washington and Tehran time to address Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Background to the talks The U.S. and Iran have been engaged in indirect negotiations facilitated by Pakistan and Gulf nations such as Qatar. Those talks have proceeded in fits and starts for weeks amid sea skirmishes and exchanges of fire. Iran retaliated for earlier military strikes by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, and both sides have applied economic pressure on each other.

President Trump said on Wednesday that Iran would like to make a deal given the economic pressure it faces, though he also said the U.S. might have to resume military strikes.

Next steps Pakistan's foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, is scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday in Washington to review bilateral relations and exchange views on regional developments. The Washington Times reached out to the White House for comment on the report but did not receive an immediate response.