Iran’s state-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported that the United States has committed to not imposing any new sanctions while negotiations between the two countries continue. The claim, tied to a draft memorandum of understanding reported on May 29, 2026, represents one of the more concrete developments in a diplomatic process that has lurched between cautious optimism and mutual suspicion for years.
What the draft MoU reportedly includes
The proposed agreement goes well beyond a simple sanctions pause. According to Tasnim’s reporting, the draft MoU includes a temporary waiver of sanctions on Iran’s oil sector during the negotiation window. The document also reportedly addresses military dimensions. It outlines an end to hostilities in Lebanon, where regional tensions involving Israel have complicated the diplomatic landscape, and calls for lifting the naval blockade imposed by the United States.
The draft includes discussions surrounding the release of frozen Iranian assets, a perennial sticking point in US-Iran diplomacy. Tehran has made clear that partial asset releases must be satisfied before any formal deal can be reached.
President Donald Trump acknowledged progress in the discussions, though his comments appear to have done little to ease skepticism on the Iranian side. Iranian media outlets have highlighted ongoing disputes about the specifics of asset unfreezing and the extent of sanctions relief. No final agreement had been reached by early June 2026. Iran reportedly suspended some negotiation messages in response to developments in Lebanon.
