US-Iran Nuclear MOU Remains Unsigned Week 15 of Hormuz Closure; Negotiators Continue Working Toward Deal; AU-ECOWAS Africa Peace Summit Announced for June 11-12

June 5, 2026 — The US-Iran nuclear and Hormuz memorandum of understanding tentatively agreed by negotiators (confirmed CNN May 28) remains unsigned as the Strait of Hormuz enters its 15th week of closure. US and Iranian working-level teams continued exchanges through General Asim Munir of Pakistan as principal back-channel intermediary. Just Security's Early Edition on June 5 confirmed active negotiations are ongoing with the core framework (Phase 1: Hormuz reopens + US naval blockade lifted + Iran oil sales resume; Phase 2: 60-day nuclear talks on enrichment and HEU disposal) still the operative basis. PBS NewsHour confirmed that US and Iranian negotiators reached a 'tentative deal to extend ceasefire and start new nuclear talks' — but Trump's formal signing remains pending amid Congressional opposition from 52 senators and 177 House members. Al Jazeera's June 5 analysis asked 'If ceasefires are in place, why do strikes continue?' — examining the Lebanon-Israel and Gaza contexts alongside the Hormuz stalemate as part of a broader pattern of agreed frameworks being outrun by on-the-ground military dynamics. Iran briefly suspended negotiations on June 1 over Israeli actions in Lebanon and Gaza, adding procedural complication before resuming contact. US gasoline prices hold at approximately $4.48-4.50/gallon; Brent crude in $78-82/bbl range. Separately, the African Union Peace and Security Council Committee of Experts met on June 5 in preparation for the AU-ECOWAS 3rd Annual Joint Consultative Meeting scheduled for June 11-12 in Abuja, Nigeria — which will review governance, peace, and security across West Africa including Sahel peace processes and joint commitments from 2024-2025. Colombia's runoff preparations continue with June 21 as the next decisive date for the Americas peace landscape.