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Iran claims US will pull out forces from its vicinity, Trump administration trashes report

However, the White House has rejected the draft MoU reported by Iranian controlled media and said that it is 'not true' and a 'complete fabrication.'

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: May 27, 2026 10:32 PM IST

diplomatic deadlock between Washington and Tehran, Qatar has issued a firm call for the preservation of maritime stability in the Persian Gulf

Qatar issued a firm warning today, insisting the Strait of Hormuz must remain stable as US-Iran negotiations reach a critical deadlock. (AP/ file photo)

Iran on Wednesday said that it has obtained the initial draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States to end the conflict in West Asia and it reportedly states that the commercial shipping traffic will return to normal if the American forces withdraw from the Iranian vicinity.

According to a Reuters report quoting Iran’s State TV, the commercial shipping is expected to return to pre-war levels in the Strait of Hormuz within a month, while the United ‌States would withdraw military forces from Iran’s vicinity and lift ⁠a naval blockade.

However, the White House has rejected the draft MoU reported by Iranian controlled media and said that it is “not true” and a “complete fabrication.”

Framework for maritime cooperation and verification

Under the framework, State TV reported that it excludes military vessels and broadly envisages Tehran managing the commercia shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz in cooperation with Oman.

Though the report stated that the unofficial framework was not yet finalised and that Iran would not take any steps without “tangible verification”.

Also Read | Rubio says deal with Iran still possible within days after US launches ‘self-defence’ strikes

The MoU added that if a final agreement is reached between Tehran and Washington within 60 days, then it could be approved as a binding resolution from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

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Mediation efforts and conflict origins

The emerging MoU between US and Iran stems from the indirect talks launched after the war started on February 28, and Pakistan has played a central mediator role in holding the talks and mediating forward.

❗️Iran promises to ‘not leave any aggression unanswered’ after ‘ceasefire violation by the US’ — MFA

‘Aggressive actions, coinciding with ongoing diplomatic process mediated by Pakistan, once again revealed bad faith & breach of promise of US ruling regime to Iranian nation’ pic.twitter.com/GTB2IgElWr

— RT (@RT_com) May 26, 2026

The war erupted after escalation of conflict between Iran and Israel in February which disrupted the shipping through the Hormuz and drew US military’s involvement.

Defensive strikes threaten April ceasefire

Earlier, the US Central Command said that it carried out “self-defence strikes” in southern Iran early on Tuesday to protect American troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. Iranian media reported that explosions took place in Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz.

The fresh US strikes came despite a Pakistan-backed ceasefire which was brokered between Washington and Tehran on April 8. Iran had threatened retaliation after American strikes in the southern region.

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