Donald Trump said on May 23, 2026, that a memorandum of understanding for a peace deal with Iran is largely negotiated [1].
The agreement aims to end almost three months of war [1] and restore regional shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global maritime chokepoint [1, 2].
Trump said that the memorandum of understanding is largely negotiated and includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz [1]. The comments were released via a joint statement in Washington, while accompanying remarks were issued by officials in Islamabad and New Delhi [1].
However, the Iranian government has contradicted the former president's assertion regarding the maritime corridor. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said, "Iran disputes the claim that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened at this stage" [1].
The conflicting reports emerge as both parties seek a resolution to the recent conflict. While the Star Advertiser reported progress on talks to end the war, it did not mention the specific dispute over the strait [2].
The negotiations focus on stabilizing the region after nearly 90 days of hostilities [1]. The reopening of the strait remains the primary point of contention between the two parties as they attempt to finalize the memorandum [1, 2].
“"The memorandum of understanding is largely negotiated and includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,"”
The discrepancy between the U.S. and Iranian statements suggests that while a general framework for peace may exist, the specific terms regarding maritime sovereignty and access to the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved. Because the strait is vital for global oil shipments, any ambiguity in the deal's language could lead to further volatility in international energy markets.
