An Iran cease-fire deal that appears to be near “finalization” would reopen the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, end the fight for 60 days and begin tough negotiations on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, according to reports.
President Trump said Saturday that Iran and the US are finalizing the details of “a Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE” — and that the agreement is being worked out with Iran and US allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Under the Trump-brokered deal, the Strait would be reopened for the entirety of the 60-day ceasefire, with no tolls. Iran would agree to clear the mines it had deployed in the crucial chokepoint and allow ships to pass freely, reported Axios.
In return, the US would lift its blockade on Iranian ports and waive some of the sanctions on the Islamic Republic, allowing Tehran to sell oil again.
US officials told the New York Times and Axios that Iran would also commit to never pursuing nuclear weapons, suspending its uranium enrichment program, and agreeing to the removal of its stockpile of enriched uranium.
However, Iranian officials told the Times that there was no agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, and that would be the subject of negotiations during the 60-day cease-fire.
Trump has made eliminating Iran’s nuclear program a key demand of the cease-fire negotiations, and said preventing the Islamic Republic from ever getting a nuclear weapon was the primary reason that the war was worth the cost.
Both the US and Iran would sign a memorandum of understanding that would last 60 days, but could be extended by mutual consent, according to the official.
US forces that were mobilized in recent months would remain in the region throughout the 60-day period, and would only withdraw if a final deal is reached, according to the official.
The draft deal also demands the end of the war between Israel and the Iranian proxy terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
It comes as President Trump said on Saturday that the US was close to reaching an agreement with Iran to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries,” the President wrote on Truth Social.
“Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly. In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened,” he added.
The tentative agreement came after the US held talks with multiple Arab leaders on Saturday.
“Suffice it to say some progress has been made, significant progress, although not final progress,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a visit to India on Sunday, adding that more information was expected to be released by President Trump later in the day.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has acted as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, said he hoped to host “the next round of talks very soon,” in a social media post.
Earlier, a spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry said Washington and Tehran were in the “final stage” of drafting a deal, and “may be able to reach a mutually acceptable solution.”
