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Market Chatter: US, Iran Reach Tentative 60-Day Nuclear Talks Deal Pending Trump Approval

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US and Iranian negotiators have tentatively agreed to a 60-day memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire and begin talks on Iran's nuclear program, pending President Donald Trump's final approval, Axios reported, citing two US officials and a regional source involved in the mediation.

The proposed deal could be announced as early as Sunday, according to the report, although officials cautioned it has not been finalized and could still collapse.

"This is an agreement to get everybody to the table. We will work out the details in the negotiations," one US official reportedly said.

According to Axios, Iranian representatives told mediators they had secured the necessary approvals and were prepared to sign the agreement, though Tehran has not publicly confirmed that claim.

Trump was briefed on the proposal but withheld immediate approval. "The president relayed to the mediators that he wants a couple of days to think about it," a US official said.

Under the draft memorandum, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would remain "unrestricted," officials said. Iran would remove naval mines from the waterway within 30 days and halt interference with commercial shipping. In return, the US would gradually lift its naval blockade and issue sanctions waivers allowing Iran to resume oil exports.

The agreement would also include an Iranian commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon and launch a 60-day negotiation period focused on Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile and uranium enrichment activities.

Washington would discuss sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian funds as part of the talks, while humanitarian aid and commercial goods deliveries to Iran would also be addressed.

The draft memorandum also states that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon would end. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised concerns about that provision and other aspects of the deal during a phone call with Trump on Saturday, Axios said, citing Israeli and US officials

The White House, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the Permanent Mission of Iran to the UN, and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond torequests for comment.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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