The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has stated that an agreement with Iran concerning the Middle East conflict, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, is largely negotiated. This follows communications with Israel and other regional allies over the weekend.
However, on Sunday, officials advised caution. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that while there has been significant progress, a final agreement has not been reached. Rubio, during a four-day visit to India where he met with officials from India, Australia, and Japan, expressed optimism about imminent positive developments.
According to Rubio, these negotiations have achieved one of Trump’s main goals: eliminating the global fear of an Iranian nuclear weapon. Trump revealed that discussions were held with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, and separately with Israel.
“The final details of the Agreement are currently under discussion and will be announced shortly,” Trump wrote on social media without providing specific details.
This announcement capped a week during which the United States considered new attacks on Iran, which could have ended a fragile ceasefire. Details of the proposed agreement are emerging.
The potential accord would see Iran committing not to develop a nuclear weapon and agreeing to give up its stock of highly enriched uranium, according to two regional officials.
One official, directly familiar with the negotiations, explained that Iran’s relinquishment of its enriched uranium would be negotiated over a 60-day period. It is probable that part of the uranium would be diluted, and the rest might be sent to a third country, possibly Russia. Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to a 60% purity level, a technical step away from the 90% required for weapons, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is tied to the U.S. lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. The United States will also allow Iran to sell oil through sanction exemptions, said the second official briefed on the negotiations. Sanctions relief and the unfreezing of Iranian assets will be negotiated over the 60-day timeframe, according to both officials.
The draft agreement includes ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, and a pledge not to interfere in the internal affairs of countries in the region. The officials discussed these confidential deliberations under anonymity.
Twelve weeks have passed since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, killing high-ranking Iranian officials, including the Supreme Leader, and disrupting nuclear negotiations for the second time within a year. Following the attack, Iran retaliated against Israel and neighboring countries hosting U.S. forces, challenging Gulf nations that had been seen as safe havens in a volatile region.
A ceasefire has been in effect since April 7. Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to regional oil, gas, and other critical supplies has been a major concern, causing economic distress worldwide.
Israeli officials are concerned that Hezbollah, a Lebanese political and military group allied with Iran, remains a serious threat. They worry that Lebanon cannot disarm it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Trump that Israel “retains freedom of action against threats on all fronts, including Lebanon,” according to a source familiar with their conversation. This source spoke anonymously due to lack of authorization to talk to the media.
The source noted that Trump emphasized to Netanyahu that he would not sign any final deal unless Iran completely dismantles its nuclear program and ships out all enriched uranium.
Gila Gamliel, Israel’s Minister of Science and Technology and a Likud party member in Netanyahu’s national security cabinet, told Israel Army Radio on Sunday morning that Israel is taking a “wait and see” approach.
A fragile ceasefire, mediated by the United States, has been effective in Lebanon since April 17 between Israel and Hezbollah. This conflict began two days after the war with Iran erupted. Despite the ceasefire, hostilities continue on both sides. Hezbollah frequently launches drones and projectiles at Israeli troops and northern Israel, and Israel strikes targets in Lebanon while maintaining a presence in large areas of southern Lebanon.
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, more than 3,000 people have died in the latest round of fighting. Additionally, 22 Israeli soldiers and a defense contractor have died in or near southern Lebanon, and two civilians have died in northern Israel, mostly due to Hezbollah’s drones, as reported by Netanyahu’s office.
Report by Lidman from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press journalists Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.