WASHINGTON: A US draft agreement with Iran has introduced a new benchmark for reducing Tehran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, adding a key element to ongoing negotiations over the country’s nuclear programme.
US officials shared details of a memorandum of understanding with Iran with journalists after days of secrecy surrounding the document, while Tehran has yet to release the text publicly.
The US draft agreement guarantees uninterrupted passage through the Strait of Hormuz for an initial 60-day period but does not rule out the possibility of future fees or changes to the arrangement, the AP reported on Wednesday.
The draft agreement outlines a framework for negotiations aimed at reaching a final deal within 60 days, with the possibility of an extension if both sides agree.
Under the proposal, the United States would remove its naval blockade of Iran within 30 days, while maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would gradually return to pre-conflict levels.
The agreement also includes a commitment for US forces to move away from Iran’s vicinity within 30 days after the final deal is reached.
The draft also proposes the creation of a $300 billion fund, backed by the United States and regional partners, to support Iran’s reconstruction and economic development. It further states that Washington would work toward lifting all sanctions on Iran under an agreed schedule.
On the nuclear issue, the agreement states that Iran would not pursue nuclear weapons. Both sides would cooperate on reducing Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile through on-site blending under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The deal declares the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”
Iran considering plan for Trump, Pezeshkian to sign deal
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Tehran is reviewing a proposal for the presidents of the United States and Iran to sign the agreement aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East, ahead of a planned ceremony in Switzerland.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran’s preparations for the Geneva meeting remained unchanged, adding that the possibility of the two presidents signing the memorandum of understanding was “under review.”
Previously, Tehran had indicated that the United States and Iran would be represented at the event by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, respectively.
Trump hints at removing sanctions on Iran
Earlier speaking at the G7 summit in Evian, President Donald Trump suggested that sanctions on Iran could be removed once “they behave”.
“As far as sanctions are concerned, at some point, you know, we have sanctions which will never let them rebuild. They would have no money, they would be in poverty, the 91 million people would starve, so something will happen as soon as they behave,” he told reporters.
“When they behave, we’re going to let that go. We’re going to have to. I put sanctions on a lot of people, and then I let them go.”
