Us-iran Negotiations Advance Amid Ongoing Hormuz Tensions

WHO:

Bloomberg - Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a key mediator in talks between Washington and Tehran.

Institute for the Study of War - Major General Ahmad Vahidi is the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Institute for the Study of War - Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister and lead negotiator is Abbas Araghchi.

Institute for the Study of War - Iranian Parliamentarian Mahmoud Nabavian is a member of the Paydari Front.

WHAT:

Bloomberg - An interim US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be finalized within 24 hours.

Bloomberg - The US Central Command shot down multiple Iranian drones targeting commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz.

Institute for the Study of War - A draft US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) includes key Iranian demands such as Iran’s retention of management of the Strait of Hormuz and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

Institute for the Study of War - Araghchi stated that an agreement has “never been closer.”

Institute for the Study of War - Iranian media reported that final negotiations could not begin until Iran receives half of its frozen assets and the United States lifts oil sanctions and its naval blockade.

Institute for the Study of War - An unspecified diplomat stated that Iran would “reopen” the strait by eliminating tolls and restoring pre-war shipping volumes within 30 days under the MoU.

WHERE:

Bloomberg - The Strait of Hormuz is the strategic waterway involved in the negotiations.

Institute for the Study of War - The negotiations involve multiple factions within Iran, including the IRGC and the formal Iranian negotiating team.

WHEN:

Bloomberg - Technical level talks are scheduled for next week following the electronic signing of the peace deal.

Institute for the Study of War - The draft MoU was published on June 12, 2026.

WHY:

Bloomberg - The negotiations are aimed at addressing ongoing tensions and skirmishes near the Strait of Hormuz.

Institute for the Study of War - Internal disagreements among Iranian regime leaders over concessions are affecting the negotiations.

HOW:

Bloomberg - Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal.

Institute for the Study of War - The IRGC is reportedly driving regime decision-making and pushing for maximalist demands in negotiations.

(UPDATED June 13, 2026 17:22 UTC)

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is playing a crucial role as a mediator in the ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran, with an interim US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz potentially being finalized within the next 24 hours. The draft memorandum of understanding includes significant Iranian demands, such as the retention of management over the Strait and the release of frozen assets, while Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi has indicated that an agreement has never been closer. Technical level talks are set to take place next week following the electronic signing of the peace deal, as internal disagreements among Iranian leaders continue to influence the negotiations.