US and Iran Iran inch toward potential deal amid strategy shift

Added: 2026-05-08

[00:00:00]Tonight in our big story, tensions escalating in the Persian Gulf as President Trump pushes for a deal with Thran. What the US military is saying about its action against an Iranian flagged oil tanker. And in our spotlight, we go inside the cult of Nature Boy. How the leader worshiped as a god, promised a real life utopia, but delivered something sinister. And in our last call, showing our thanks to those on the front lines of healthcare on National Nurses Day. ABC News Live reports starts now.

[00:00:35]In tonight's big story, sources tell ABC News the US is now pursuing a short-term agreement with Iran. It comes as the Pentagon says US forces attacked and disabled an Iranian flag tanker today after it tried to break through America's blockade. Now, President Trump says it's very possible a deal with Iran is coming, but he's also warning if Tran doesn't agree, the bombing will start again.

[00:00:57]Look, and this is very simple. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon because as tough as they are, we want to keep them alive. We want to keep all of you alive.

[00:01:08]Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and they won't and they've agreed to that among other things.

[00:01:14]>> ABC's foreign correspondent Tom Sufi Buridge has more from Tel Aviv. Yeah, multiple sources, Andrew, telling ABC News that the US might be changing its posture on the negotiations and this is highly significant. Uh those sources saying that the US is now considering this onepage memorandum of understanding. The idea being that Iran would once again allow the free passage of commercial vessels uh through the straight of moose, that critical waterway. There are hundreds, more than 1500 trapped to the west of there in those waters in the Persian Gulf. And in return, the US military would drop its blockade on Iranian ports, which is having a big impact on Iran's economy.

[00:01:53]And countries like France, we know, are pushing for this. They're basically saying to Iran and the US, look, there is this standoff. Uh President Trump announced that new operation uh on Sunday night, Operation Freedom, to try and force Iran's hand, basically militarily put so many assets in the region that Iran would have to break its hold on the straight form. That didn't appear to work. President Trump has paused that operation while talks continue and it's a reflection of the uncertainty and the standoff in those waterways and other countries like France are saying look if you get take those issues out of the equation then maybe diplomacy on the bigger more complicated issues like the future of Iran's nuclear program its missile program potentially even its relationship with its proxies here in the region could be given a chance this feels like a significant moment uh but sources is stressing that there is still a lot of negotiation still to be done.

[00:02:47]Andrew.

[00:02:48]>> All right, Tom, thank you. For more, let's bring in ABC's Steven Portoy.

[00:02:51]Stephen, what else do we know about the specifics in this reported memo of understanding?

[00:02:56]>> Well, officials familiar with the matter tell ABC News, Andrew, the one-page agreement that's currently on the table would see Iran easing its grip on the Straight of Hormuz and the US gradually lifting its blockade of ships heading to or from Iranian ports. The agreement would be implemented over a 30-day period, setting a timeline for both sides to work out a more comprehensive deal that would focus on Iran's nuclear ambitions. Our sources are stressing that nothing has been formally agreed to at this point and that there are still outstanding issues such as Iran's demand that it be allowed to charge tolls for crossing the straight. We're told there have been multiple drafts of this passed back and forth in recent days and that the US currently sees the ball in Iran's court with a response from Thrron due back to the American side on some of the outstanding points. President Trump has had a lot to say about this today. He told PBS in an interview this morning that the US is closing in on a deal, but he said he's felt that way before. In that interview, Trump said, "I think it's got a very good chance of ending, and if it doesn't end, we have to go back to bombing the hell out of them."

[00:03:59]He then spoke to Fox News and reportedly told their anchor Brett Bearer he expects it would take about a week to get everything wrapped up. Later in the Oval Office, the president was asked if there is a deadline for Iran. Never a deadline. He said it'll happen, but never a deadline. The president also told reporters there have been very good talks with Iran over the last 24 hours and he said, quote, "It's very possible that we'll make a deal." Stephen, thank you.