As an agreement to end the war between the United States and Iran appears imminent, the draft under discussion by both sides reportedly includes economic support for Iran. Meanwhile, the most sensitive issue — the nuclear program — is likely to be deferred to subsequent negotiations, sources from both camps suggest.
US President Donald Trump said Monday (local time) that "the final terms and details of the agreement are currently being discussed and will be announced soon," referring to the ceasefire negotiations with Iran.
"The agreement among the United States, Iran, and various other countries has been largely negotiated, and only final confirmation remains," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. He also noted that "in addition to many other elements of the agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened."
Israel's Channel 14 reported that negotiations between the US and Iran appear to be heading toward an agreement, awaiting approval from Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. However, Fars News Agency, affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that "the United States has accepted some of Iran's positions" but "Iran will not discuss its nuclear program at this stage." It added that "the return of Iran's blocked funds is one of the main conditions for starting negotiations, and rules for vessel passage through the Strait of Hormuz are also in dispute."
Although neither side has officially disclosed the details, the draft contents emerging from both camps indicate that nuclear negotiations have been postponed. With significant disagreements remaining over the most sensitive issues such as uranium enrichment, the two sides appear to be exchanging a halt to attacks for the lifting of economic sanctions as a first step. Iranian hardliner Ali Golhaki said that Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir, representing the mediating country, had departed for Iran to finalize a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the US and Iran, analyzing this as a preliminary stage for the more difficult nuclear negotiations.
He claimed that the two sides are discussing an end to hostilities on all fronts, the release of $12 billion of Iran's $25 billion in frozen assets, a reduction of US military presence near Iran, and an additional 30 days of nuclear negotiations.
US broadcaster CNN reported that issues such as uranium enrichment have been deferred to follow-up negotiations. However, it reported that the draft includes a commitment not to use nuclear weapons, an exemption from the ban on Iranian oil exports, and a reconstruction fund for Iran.
The two sides also remain divided on the Strait of Hormuz. While Trump expressed confidence that control of the strait would be released immediately, Iran's Fars News Agency denied Trump's claim, stating that the Strait of Hormuz would remain under Iranian management.
