WASHINGTON, May 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. and Iranian negotiators have reached an agreement on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and launch talks on Iran's nuclear program, but U.S. President Donald Trump has yet to give his final approval, U.S. media Axios reported Thursday, citing U.S. officials and a regional source.
The U.S. negotiators briefed Trump on the details of the final deal, but he did not immediately sign off, said the report.
"The president relayed to the mediators that he wants a couple of days to think about it," a U.S. official was quoted as saying.
Iran has also not confirmed its acceptance, though the report, citing U.S. officials, claimed that the Iranian negotiators had said they had the necessary approvals and were prepared to sign.
The 60-day MoU will state that shipping transiting the Strait of Hormuz will be "unrestricted," said the report. A U.S. official was quoted as saying that this means no tolls and no harassment and that Iran will have to remove all mines from the strait within 30 days.
The U.S. naval blockade on all Iranian ports will also be lifted, but that will happen in proportion to the restoration of commercial shipping, one of the U.S. officials said, adding that Washington would also issue some sanctions waivers to allow Tehran to sell oil freely.
The MoU will include an Iranian commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon, the officials said. It will also state that the first issues to be negotiated during the 60-day window will be how to dispose of Iran's highly enriched uranium and how to address Iranian enrichment.
The White House will commit to discuss sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian funds as part of the negotiations, according to the report, adding that the MoU will also include a discussion of a mechanism to help Iran start receiving goods and humanitarian aid.
The MoU would also state that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon would end -- an issue on which Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have had at least one tense discussion, said the report.
"This is an agreement to get everybody to the table. We will work out the details in the negotiations," one of the U.S. officials was quoted as saying.
Trump said Wednesday that Washington was not yet satisfied with the terms under discussion and remains prepared to resume military action if its demands are not met.
"We're not satisfied with it, but we will be," Trump said. "Either that or we'll have to just finish the job." ■
