US-Iran Deal Details — 60-Day Hormuz Reopening, Sanctions Waivers, Uranium Dispute
Two regional officials briefed on the Pakistan-led negotiations said today the United States is close to a deal with Iran that would end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and see Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Under the emerging agreement, the Strait of Hormuz would gradually reopen in parallel with the US ending its blockade of Iran’s ports. The US would allow Iran to sell oil through sanctions waivers, with sanctions relief and the release of Iran’s frozen funds negotiated during a 60-day time frame. The draft deal also includes an end to the war between Israel and Hezbollah and a commitment to non-interference in the domestic affairs of countries in the region.
The draft memorandum of understanding currently provides for a 60-day extension of the ceasefire. During that period, the Strait of Hormuz would be open to shipping without fees and Iran would commit to clearing mines laid there. The draft also includes Iranian pledges never to seek nuclear weapons and to negotiate the suspension of its uranium enrichment programme and the removal of its highly enriched uranium stockpile. US forces that moved to the area in recent months to participate in the assault on Iran would only withdraw if a final agreement is reached. The US official described Trump’s approach as “relief for performance”: allowing Iran to trade oil would also free up the global oil market by unblocking the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday that he will not sign any final agreement without the conditions that Iran dismantle its entire nuclear programme and give up all its enriched uranium.