President Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. and Iran have held "good talks over the last 24 hours," expressing confidence that a deal could be reached "in the coming days." The White House is now awaiting Iran's formal response to a one-page memorandum of understanding (MOU) that aims to end the war and establish a framework for nuclear negotiations, as Axios first reported.
U.S. officials expect a reply from Tehran within 24 to 48 hours. "We are not far, but there is no deal yet," one official said. The administration is pushing for a diplomatic breakthrough before Trump concludes his China trip next Friday, according to officials familiar with the timeline.
The 14-point MOU is being negotiated by Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have engaged Iranian officials both directly and through mediators. If no agreement is in hand by next week, the president could again consider ordering military action. "If they don't agree, the bombing starts," Trump wrote on Truth Social, describing potential strikes as more intense than previous operations.
Skepticism remains within the administration. Some U.S. officials are less confident that a deal will come together, despite the president's public optimism. The gap between Trump's upbeat statements and the caution of his own aides suggests the talks remain fragile.
The next 48 hours will be decisive. A clear answer from Iran could either open the door to broader nuclear talks or set the stage for renewed escalation. The outcome will also shape the president's messaging during his upcoming meetings in China.