US and Iran strike deal but await Trump's final approval: Report

The United States and Iran have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement aimed at extending the fragile ceasefire and reopening talks over Tehran's nuclear programme, but the proposal is still waiting for final approval from US President Donald Trump.

According to sources cited by Axios, negotiators from both sides agreed on the framework of a 60-day memorandum of understanding earlier this week. The proposed deal could mark the biggest diplomatic breakthrough since the conflict began nearly three months ago.

The agreement comes as fresh military exchanges between Washington and Tehran continue to shake the region and raise fears that the ceasefire could collapse at any moment.

TRUMP YET TO SIGN OFF

US officials said most terms of the agreement had been settled by Tuesday. Iranian negotiators later informed mediators that they had secured approval from senior leaders in Tehran and were prepared to move forward.

However, Trump has not yet formally approved the proposal.

"The president relayed to the mediators that he wants a couple of days to think about it," a US official told Axios.

The White House has not confirmed details of the draft understanding. Trump has repeatedly claimed peace is close, but he also signalled frustration with the pace of negotiations during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Trump said he remained dissatisfied with the talks and insisted Washington was not currently discussing sanctions relief, which remains one of Iran's main demands. He also dismissed the report air by Iranian state television. The report claimed that the proposed memorandum of understanding would allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to return to pre-war levels within 30 days. In exchange, the US would reduce its military presence around Iran and end what Tehran its naval blockade.

- Ends