In a week marked by the fiercest Gulf flare‑up since the 2024 ceasefire, a draft memorandum to end hostilities has emerged that many analysts say tilts the balance toward Iran. The document, leaked through Western, Pakistani and senior Iranian sources, was published in Iranian media and has drawn sharp rebuke from U.S.. President Donald Trump, who called the terms “unacceptable.”

Western, Pakistani and Iranian Sources All Point to an Iran‑Heavy Draft

According to Reuters, the memorandum was sourced from a mix of Western diplomats, Pakistani officials and senior Iranian negotiators. each version of the text,while slightly different, accepted Tehran’s core proposals from the initial face‑to‑face talks.. The key point of contention, as noted by a Gulf source, is the language on ceasing hostilities in Lebanon, a clause that remains unresolved.

Trump’s Public Rejection Highlights U.S. Strategic Concerns

President Trump’s criticism came after the U.S. announced it would lift sanctions on Iranian oil exports and release billions of frozen assets in exchange for Iran lifting its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.. Trump said the deal ignored the U.S. nuclear agenda and was “a one‑sided concession.” The president’s remarks underscore a broader U.S. strategy that prioritizes a hard‑line stance on Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel Excluded , Yet Still a Central Flashpoint

The memorandum explicitly excludes Israel from negotiations, despite the fact that Israel and Iran have traded fire for the first time since the ceasefire. The U.S. has launched strikes on Iran that prompted retaliatory attacks on U.S. bases in the region. trump’s decision to call off planned military strikes on Iran was framed as a move toward a “great settlement,” yet Tehran insists no deal has been finalized.

What’s Still Unknown About the Draft and Its Future?

Key questions linger: Will the U.S. actually release the billions of frozen assets, and under what conditions? How will the unresolved Lebanon clause affect the broader regional security architecture? And, crucially, will the memorandum’s terms be ratified by all parties, or will it collapse under the weight of divergent national interests?

According to Reuters, the draft remains in flux, with negotiators still debating the exact wording on hostilities in Lebanon.. The settlement’s fate hinges on whether the U.S ., Iran, and other Gulf states can reconcile these differences within the proposed 60‑day negotiation window.