From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 27, 2026
Sources: Mediators believe US-Iran breakthrough near; Trump waiting until after Netanyahu meeting to make decision
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
WASHINGTON — Mediators believe they are close to a breakthrough that would revive the memorandum of understanding signed by the US and Iran last month, but await a final decision from President Donald Trump after his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, an Arab official and a second source familiar with the matter tell The Times of Israel.
Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Qatar have been discussing a proposal that would clarify disagreements regarding operations of the Strait of Hormuz, the two sources say. Iran maintains that the MOU granted it a level of control over the strait, while the US has argued otherwise.
The proposal being advanced by the mediators aims to bridge those gaps so that the US and Iran can begin talks through the MOU, whose 60-day timeline is already set to expire next month.
Iran and Oman — which both are situated along the strait — have given a green light to the mediators’ proposal, and it now awaits approval from Trump, the two sources say, adding that the White House is holding off on making a decision until after the president’s meeting with Netanyahu.
The Times of Israel Community.