The United States and Iran signaled on Friday that a US-Iran peace deal is within reach after both sides agreed on the text of a draft agreement aimed at ending months of conflict.
A senior US administration official said Washington expects to sign an initial agreement within days. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also expressed optimism, although he noted that changes to the draft could still be made before final approval.
Speaking on Iranian state television, Araghchi claimed Iran had emerged stronger from the conflict and described the tentative agreement as a positive outcome for Tehran.
Despite the diplomatic progress, tensions remained visible. US forces intercepted and shot down several Iranian attack drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz. According to a source familiar with the incident, the drones posed a threat to commercial shipping. US Central Command later confirmed the operation and said the strategic waterway remained open for transit.
Reports from Iranian media said explosions were heard near Sirik port and Qeshm Island. Local officials and residents attributed the sounds to warning shots fired by Iranian forces at vessels attempting to cross the strait without authorization from the Revolutionary Guards’ navy.
According to sources involved in the negotiations, the draft memorandum would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the US naval blockade on Iranian ports. Talks on Iran’s nuclear programme would begin afterward.
The US official said the proposed agreement fulfills President Donald Trump’s key objectives and places future negotiations on a strong footing.
Details of the draft suggest the United States could release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and ease sanctions on Iran’s oil exports. In return, Iran would guarantee free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
The agreement also outlines a 60-day framework for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear activities. US officials say the process would eventually lead to the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme, including the removal and destruction of highly enriched uranium under international monitoring.
However, Araghchi said Iran wants to retain its uranium stockpile in a diluted form rather than eliminate it completely. He described down-blending the material as Tehran’s preferred solution.
Sources familiar with the discussions said the proposals also include talks on possible war reparations for Iran and could ease long-standing US demands related to Iran’s missile programme. The US administration disputed some of those claims.
A US official stressed that sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds would depend on Iran meeting its commitments under the agreement. The official also said Iran had agreed to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and end support for militant groups as part of the arrangement.
The agreement could reportedly be signed as early as Sunday. Sources said US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf may formally endorse the deal, with Geneva considered a possible venue. Iranian officials, however, suggested the agreement may be signed remotely before being announced publicly.
Israel has not participated in the negotiations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would not be a party to the agreement.
Netanyahu has recently disagreed with the Trump administration over regional policy, particularly US efforts to reduce tensions with Tehran. While Iranian officials suggested the deal could contribute to ending hostilities in Lebanon, Israeli leaders insisted they would maintain the freedom to respond to security threats whenever necessary.
If finalized, the US-Iran peace deal would mark a major diplomatic breakthrough and could reshape security and economic dynamics across the Middle East.
