Iran, US near 60-day ceasefire

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that an announcement on the Iran war could come later in the day, signaling accelerated diplomacy between Washington and Tehran. Reports indicate a US-Iran 60-day ceasefire memorandum is nearing final approval amid reports of the Strait of Hormuz reopening this week. Pakistan offered to host the next round of Iran-US peace talks "very soon," as Iran hosted a Pakistani delegation in Tehran on Saturday for urgent discussions to avert US strikes. 1/ The US and Iran are advancing toward a 60-day ceasefire deal, with a memorandum nearing final approval as of May 24, 2026. This comes amid heightened tensions in the US-Israel-Iran conflict, where direct talks have been elusive. Sunday Guardian reported the memorandum's progress alongside the planned reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, despite ongoing regional frictions. 2/ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio flagged a potential announcement on the Iran war later Sunday. Speaking to reporters, Rubio highlighted diplomatic momentum without detailing terms. France 24 cited his comments in live Middle East war updates, noting they follow weeks of escalating US-Iran exchanges, including reported Israeli strikes tied to the broader conflict. 3/ Pakistan has positioned itself as a mediator, offering to host Iran-US talks "very soon." The offer came as Iran welcomed a high-level Pakistani delegation in Tehran on May 23. World Today News described the visit as an "urgent diplomatic push" explicitly aimed at preventing US military strikes on Iranian targets. 4/ The Strait of Hormuz reopening this week marks a practical de-escalation step. Sunday Guardian linked it directly to the ceasefire memorandum, noting shipping traffic would resume despite "persistent tensions." The strait handles about 20% of global oil trade; its partial closure earlier in 2026 spiked energy prices. No official confirmation from US or Iranian militaries has surfaced yet. 5/ Iran has signaled openness to reviving nuclear deal talks, per separate Sunday Guardian reporting. This comes as UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over rising nuclear tensions in the region. The signals align with Pakistan's mediation push but occur against a backdrop of Israeli strikes in Gaza, which some outlets tie to the Iran conflict. 6/ Context: US-Iran hostilities intensified in early 2026 after alleged Iranian attacks on US assets and Israeli targets. Trump administration officials, including Rubio, have pushed back-channel diplomacy via allies like Pakistan, which shares a border with Iran and has navigated neutral ties with both sides. No public details on ceasefire terms—such as proxy force stand-downs or sanctions relief—have emerged. 7/ Pakistan's role builds on prior efforts; its army chief met Iranian officials last month. France 24 noted Islamabad's offer as a bid to host talks in a neutral venue, potentially Lahore or Islamabad. Iran's hosting of the delegation underscores Tehran's active engagement to head off escalation. 8/ Uncertainties persist: Gaza ceasefire strains, with over 800 Palestinian deaths reported since its start, could spill over. Hamas accused Israel of violating terms, while Iranian proxies remain active. The 60-day memorandum, if finalized, would be the first direct US-Iran truce in decades. 9/ Next: Watch for Rubio's promised announcement today (May 24). Pakistan's talks venue and date could be confirmed soon. Strait reopening logistics—expected this week—will test early compliance.