The United States is on the brink of finalizing an agreement with Iran to bring an end to the conflict, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and have Iran relinquish its supply of highly enriched uranium, as per regional officials speaking to The Associated Press on Sunday. The specifics and schedules are anticipated to be ironed out at a later stage.
While Iran has not publicly committed to surrendering its uranium, a key requirement of U.S. President Donald Trump, recent developments have suggested that both sides were near an agreement in previous weeks. Trump mentioned on Saturday that a deal had been “largely negotiated” following discussions with Israel and other regional partners.
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump stated, “The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal as time is on our side.” He also highlighted that the relationship between the U.S. and Iran is evolving to be “much more professional and productive.”
The potential reopening of the strait is poised to alleviate the global energy crisis triggered by the U.S. and Israel’s military actions against Iran on February 28, resulting in the closure of the vital waterway by Tehran. This closure led to a surge in prices for oil, gas, and various downstream products, impacting the world economy significantly. Experts predict that it may take several weeks or even months for shipping and prices to stabilize to pre-conflict levels.
The U.S. has enforced a blockade on Iranian ports for more than a month, and Trump emphasized on Sunday that the blockade will persist until an agreement is finalized, verified, and signed.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while in India, indicated that substantial progress, though not final, has been achieved in the negotiations, potentially averting Iran’s access to nuclear weapons without providing further details.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian assured via state TV that they are prepared “to assure the world that we are not pursuing a nuclear weapon.” Iran’s embassy in India reiterated on social media that Tehran maintains an “inalienable” right to nuclear technology.
As part of the emerging deal, Tehran is expected to concede its highly enriched uranium, as revealed by two anonymous regional officials familiar with the delicate talks. The manner in which Iran will surrender the uranium is subject to further discussions within a 60-day period. A portion of the uranium is likely to be diluted, while the remaining quantity may be transferred to a third country, with Russia offering to facilitate this process.
Iran currently possesses 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to nearly 60 percent purity, a significant step away from the 90 percent weapons-grade threshold, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Trump has been pushing for more considerable concessions from Iran compared to the obligations outlined in the 2015 Obama-era agreement, from which the U.S. withdrew during Trump’s administration.
In a statement on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei noted that the gaps between Iranian and U.S. stances are narrowing, but Iran remains cautious due to past attacks during nuclear negotiations.
Key mediator Pakistani army chief Asim Munir concluded additional talks with Iranian officials before departing Tehran late on Saturday.
As part of the potential pact, the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will align with the U.S. lifting its blockade, allowing Iran to resume oil sales through waivers on sanctions. The negotiation process within the 60-day timeframe will also encompass discussions on sanctions relief and the release of Iran’s frozen funds.
The draft agreement is anticipated to include a resolution to the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon, according to both officials familiar with the discussions.
Subsequent to the U.S. and Israel’s military strikes on Iran, which resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader and other leaders, a ceasefire has held since April 7, notwithstanding sporadic exchanges of fire between the parties.
Numerous nations, including the European Union and the United Kingdom, have expressed positive reactions to the progress made towards a potential deal with Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the necessity for any final agreement with Iran to eliminate the nuclear threat. He affirmed that Israel retains the right to defend itself across all fronts, including Lebanon.
Israeli officials, including Science Minister Gila Gamliel, have adopted a cautious approach, expressing concerns over Hezbollah’s continued threat to Israel and the challenges of disarming the group in Lebanon.
Despite a fragile ceasefire brokered by the U.S. in Lebanon, conflicts persist, particularly in the southern regions. Hezbollah has launched daily attacks on Israeli forces, while Israel has responded with strikes on Lebanese targets, resulting in casualties on both sides.
The ongoing conflict has claimed over 3,000 lives, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Additionally, Israeli casualties have been reported, with soldiers and a defense contractor losing their lives in southern Lebanon, alongside civilian casualties in northern Israel.
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