The United States and Iran are signaling progress toward a preliminary deal

The United States and Iran are signaling progress toward a preliminary deal that could wind down the war in the Middle East, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and create a new track for talks on Tehran’s nuclear program.

But the basic terms remain unclear, and U.S. and Iranian officials are describing the possible agreement in different ways.

President Donald Trump said the deal had been “largely negotiated” after calls with leaders across the region. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking during a visit to India, said there had been “significant progress, although not final progress,” and suggested Trump could provide more details soon.

Both American and Iranian officials have described the proposal as a framework rather than a final settlement. Pakistan, which has acted as a mediator, said it hoped to host another round of talks soon.

The war began in late February, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran. It has killed thousands of people, shaken energy markets, driven up fears of new missile strikes and bombing raids, and become broadly unpopular in the United States.

In April, the United States, Israel and Iran agreed to a cease-fire to allow negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said the emerging deal would reopen the strait, a key route for global oil and gas supplies that Iran has effectively blocked during the conflict. He also said the agreement was still subject to final discussions.

The future of Iran’s nuclear program remains the central unresolved issue.

Trump has repeatedly said Tehran must give up its stockpile of enriched uranium. Two U.S. officials said the proposed deal included an apparent commitment by Iran to do so, while leaving the details for later talks.

Three Iranian officials gave a different account. They said the memorandum of understanding did not settle the nuclear issue and only required talks on nuclear matters within 30 to 60 days.

According to them, the deal would stop the fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon, reopen the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, lift the U.S. naval blockade on Iran and release $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

Israel has not formally endorsed the agreement.

An Israeli official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed it with Trump and described it as an understanding on reopening the Strait of Hormuz that could lead to broader talks.

The official added that Israel would not give up its freedom to act against threats, including in Lebanon, where it has continued to clash with Hezbollah.

The possible deal has already drawn criticism from some Republicans and Iran hawks. Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, warned that a temporary cease-fire based on the belief that Iran would negotiate in good faith would be a “disaster.”

Iranian officials said Tehran had pursued two tracks in recent days: intensive diplomacy and preparations for renewed combat. While military commanders threatened harsh retaliation if the United States resumed strikes, Iranian diplomats worked with regional mediators to avoid a return to full-scale war.

Many Iranians welcomed the prospect of an agreement. The country has been hit hard by the war, with layoffs, inflation, shortages of medicine and fuel, and damage to critical infrastructure.

One Tehran resident told The New York Times that she had been preparing for renewed airstrikes and felt relieved by the news.