You United States and the Iran are close to reaching an agreement to end the war in the Middle Eastaccording to a high-ranking Pakistani official who is acting as a mediator in the negotiations.
The official confirmed to Reuters information published by the website Axios that Washington and Tehran are discussing a memorandum to put an end to the conflict and disputes in the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, negotiations will be concluded “very soon”.
This Wednesday, President Donald Trump stated that the war could end if Tehran accepts the terms presented. “If they do not agree, the bombings will begin, and they will unfortunately be at a much greater level and intensity than before,” he added.
When speaking to reporters at the White House, the American stated that the Iranians want to reach a conclusion. “We have had very good conversations over the last 24 hours and it is quite possible that we will reach an agreement,” he said. In an interview with Fox News, he was asked about the deadline for countries to reach this consensus and replied that the period should be one week.
A spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the country is analyzing the proposal and will communicate its position to the mediator, Pakistan. The Revolutionary Guard stated that safe passage through Hormuz will be guaranteed with the end of US threats.
For the head of the Parliament committee related to national security and foreign policy, Ebrahim Azizi, the memorandum delivered by the US was “an “American wish list, not a reality”.
“Iran has its finger on the trigger and is ready; if they (US) do not surrender and make the necessary concessions, or if they or their subordinates attempt any provocation, we will respond with a harsh and regrettable reaction,” he said.
Last month, Pakistan hosted the only peace negotiation held so far and continues to broker proposals between the two sides. The prospect of agreement brought down global oil prices.
According to Axios, the White House believes it is close to an agreement and expects responses from Iran on key points within the next 48 hours. The report was published hours after donald trump suspend the operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, dubbed “Project Freedom”.
Among the terms under discussion to end the war, Iran would accept a moratorium on nuclear enrichment. Trump stated, without giving further details, that the US will take enriched uranium from Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu also said on Wednesday that the two leaders agreed that all radioactive material must be removed from the Persian country.
In return, the US would lift sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets. There would also be a lifting of restrictions on traffic in Hormuz — a sea route that is essential for the global market and which has returned to be the scene of clashes between the two countries in recent days.
In the current version, the text being evaluated declares the end of the war in the region and opens a 30-day period for negotiations on a more detailed agreement, which would include the reopening of the strait, limits on the Iranian nuclear program and the suspension of American sanctions.
During this period, Iranian-imposed restrictions on maritime traffic and the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would be gradually eased. According to an American official interviewed by Axios, if negotiations fail, Washington could reestablish the blockade or resume military actions.
On a visit to China, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi did not directly comment on Trump’s statements, but stated that Tehran seeks “a fair and comprehensive agreement.” The Strait of Hormuz has been practically closed since the end of February, when the United States and Israel started the war.
