Iran and the United States are reportedly nearing an agreement to transform the current ceasefire into a more permanent settlement. Both nations are discussing a "memorandum of understanding" aimed at addressing outstanding issues, although US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the deal is still a "work in progress." Rubio stated, "We’re either going to have a good agreement or we’re going to have to deal with it another way" during a visit to India. The details of the memorandum remain unclear, but it is intended to halt hostilities, which would be beneficial for both parties, particularly with US midterm elections approaching and Iran facing economic challenges.
The proposed agreement includes the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day timeline for further negotiations, particularly concerning Iran's nuclear program. Rubio mentioned that there is a significant proposal on the table regarding the strait and a commitment from Iran to engage in serious negotiations on nuclear issues.
A senior administration official indicated that the framework would ensure Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons and would require the country to relinquish highly enriched uranium. The disposal of this stockpile will be addressed in subsequent negotiations. The official emphasized a strict verification process, stating, "if Iran doesn’t perform, they don’t get anything."
However, Iranian officials have expressed differing views on the negotiations. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that while substantial progress has been made, it is premature to claim that an agreement is imminent. President Trump has also indicated that the US will not rush into a deal, emphasizing the need for a favorable agreement compared to previous negotiations under the Obama administration.
Key issues include the management of the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran seeks to maintain control while allowing commercial traffic to resume. Iran is also demanding the lifting of the US blockade on its ports, while Trump has stated that the blockade will remain until a final agreement is reached. Additionally, Iran is pushing for the unfreezing of billions of dollars in assets held abroad as part of the negotiations.
