U.S.-Iran talks inch toward 60-day MoU

Reuters reported on May 28 that U.S. and Iranian negotiators had reached agreement on a memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire for 60 days, but that President Donald Trump had not yet approved it. Four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters the draft would create a two-month window for further talks, including on Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. CBS News reported on May 26 that a draft proposal included a 60-day ceasefire extension, an end to military operations on multiple fronts and language on Iran not developing nuclear weapons and disposing of enriched uranium. The social-media posts that circulated on May 31 and June 1 tracked a negotiation that had already been described in earlier reporting, but relied on unnamed sources and did not add independently verified details. ### Where did the 60-day memorandum report come from? Reuters said on May 28 that the United States and Iran had reached an agreement on a memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire for 60 days. The report cited four sources familiar with the matter and said Trump still had to sign off. Reuters also said Axios had earlier reported that the agreement would address Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium during the 60-day period. (usnews.com) CBS News reported on May 26 that a draft proposal for an Iran agreement included a 60-day ceasefire extension and commitments tied to military operations and uranium disposal. CBS attributed those details to two regional officials with knowledge of the diplomacy and a senior U.S. official who confirmed parts of the draft. ### What were U.S. and Iranian negotiators said to be discussing? (usnews.com) Iran's highly enriched uranium was identified by Reuters as one of the first issues to be discussed during the proposed 60-day window. Reuters said Trump's stated war aim was to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon with that material, while Tehran had consistently denied planning to do so. (cbsnews.com) CBS News said the draft also covered disposal of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile under a mechanism that both sides would still need to settle. CBS reported that Iran had not yet agreed to all terms and that the exact method for disposing of the stockpile had not been determined. ### Why did social posts mention Trump making a near-term decision? Trump was already publicly signaling that a decision was near before the May 31 and June 1 posts appeared. (usnews.com) Reuters reported that expectations of a deal rose over the weekend after Trump canceled weekend plans to remain in Washington, while a senior administration official later downplayed an imminent announcement but said there was agreement in principle on the broad contours. (cbsnews.com) May 26 is the clearest dated public marker from Trump in the sourced reporting. CBS quoted Trump as saying after calls with Middle Eastern leaders that a peace deal with Iran had been "largely negotiated" and that final details were still being discussed. In a Truth Social post cited by CBS, Trump wrote that negotiations with Iran were "proceeding nicely." ### How does this fit into the broader 2026 U.S.-Iran talks? (usnews.com) The UK House of Commons Library said talks between the United States and Iran in 2026 were being mediated by Pakistan after an April 8 conditional two-week ceasefire that was later extended. The research briefing said the issues under discussion included freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear and ballistic program, reconstruction, sanctions and a long-term peace agreement. (cbsnews.com) The same briefing said two sets of U.S.-Iran talks had been held in 2026, including Oman-mediated talks in February that centered on Iran's nuclear and ballistic program and the timing of sanctions relief. That timeline helps explain why the late-May reporting described the proposed memorandum as a framework for further negotiation rather than a final settlement. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk) ### What can be said with confidence as of June 1? June 1 social commentary can be described as amplification, not fresh confirmation. Reuters and CBS had already reported, on May 28 and May 26 respectively, that a 60-day framework was under discussion and that nuclear issues were part of it. Neither report said the memorandum had taken effect. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk) Trump's approval remains the central unresolved step in the reporting available as of June 1. Reuters said the memorandum still required his approval, and CBS said final details were still under discussion. Any further confirmation would most likely come from the White House, Reuters, or named officials involved in the talks. (usnews.com)