Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei posted on social media at 23:00 local time, sharing historical imagery to assert Iran's victory amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations with the United States. The post featured a relief sculpture from Nakhsh-e Rostam depicting Shapur I, a Sassanid Persian emperor (r. 240–270), defeating Roman forces, accompanied by a map of Iran. Baghaei stated: "Romans thought Rome was undoubtedly the center of the world. But Iranians shattered that illusion." The relief, carved into rock walls near the ancient city of Persepolis in Iran's Fars Province, commemorates Shapur I's military victory over invading Roman forces. Baghaei referenced a historical Roman expedition led by Marcus Julius Philippus, writing: "When Marcus Julius Philippus marched eastward toward Persia, that expedition did not end in Roman victory... rather ended in peace established by Sassanid conditions. The emperor had to accept the conditions!" This framing appears intended to present the ongoing US-Iran negotiation terms as an Iranian victory.
Reported Agreement Principles
The United States and Iran have reportedly agreed in principle on two key provisions, according to reports by The New York Times and other US media outlets on May 24. These provisions include opening the Hormuz Strait and Iran's disposal of highly enriched uranium. However, a US official emphasized the difficulty in predicting the final form of any agreement or whether Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei will formally sign.
Approval Process and Timeline
Both sides' agreement requires approval from US President Donald Trump and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. This approval process could take several days. A US official stated that it is difficult to anticipate how the final agreement will be structured or whether Khamenei will officially sign off.
Nuclear Issues and Negotiation Phasing
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while visiting India, suggested a phased approach to negotiations. Rubio stated: "We cannot solve nuclear issues in 72 hours on the back of a napkin. The Hormuz Strait must reopen immediately. Then we will enter very serious negotiations on enrichment, on highly enriched uranium, on their commitment not to possess nuclear weapons." This indicates that nuclear weapons provisions—considered a major issue by the US—may be deferred to later negotiations. The status of Iran's highly enriched uranium remains uncertain under current proposals.
Rubio also noted that if negotiations do not proceed well, Iranian attacks could resume.
Trump's Directive on Negotiation Pace
President Trump posted on Truth Social that negotiations are proceeding constructively and that time favors the United States. Trump instructed the US delegation not to rush toward an agreement.
