an hour agoIran: Agreement with US is near finalisation, Hormuz reopening expected
Periskopi(4 hours ago)
(4 hours ago)An agreement between the United States and Iran to end fighting and to reduce tensions in the region seems to be close to finalisation. The news has been made known by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Arghchi, who said negotiations have entered the final phase.
According to Arghch, the deal envisions the reopening of Hormuz Strait, one of the most important sea routes for global transport of oil and liquid natural gas, as well as the removal of the American blockade to Iran. He added that negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme will be held at a later stage.
US officials have confirmed some of the elements of the deal, stressing that economic benefits for Iran will depend on the fulfillment of the obligations Tehran will take over.
The conflict began after US and Israeli attacks on targets in Iran on 28 February, bringing Iranian responses to Israel and US allies in the Persian Gulf. The clashes also led to effective closure of the Hormuz Strait, causing concerns in international energy markets.
Although in April, the parties agreed to a ceasefire, several new episodes of fire exchange have been recorded in recent weeks. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had cancelled planned attacks on Iran, after negotiators had arrived, according to him, a excellent “resolution”.
Iranian media published on Friday details of a memorandum of understanding with 14 points, but Trump rejected them, saying they did not reflect the real conditions of the agreement.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shebas Sharif, whose country has played an intermediate role in the talks, said the memorandum between the US and Iran is agreed on in principle and only finalisation is expected.
According to the Iranian Foreign Minister, within Iran's highest security institutions there are still discussions on the terms of the agreement, but he voiced optimism that the document could be signed within the coming days.
US officials said the agreement envisions the reopening of Hormuz Strait in exchange for removing blockades against Iranian ships. A 60-day period of negotiations for the Iranian nuclear programme will then begin, with particular focus on enriched uranium reserves.
Economically, the US has made it clear that there will be no immediate financial benefits for Iran. Sanctions and restrictions will be removed gradually and only after the implementation of commitments made by Tehran is verified.
The agreement also envisions Iran stopping funding Allied groups in the region, including Hezbollah and other organisations supported by it in the Middle East.
Despite the optimism expressed by the US, Iran and regional mediators, it remains to be seen whether the parties will succeed in finalising the agreement, as similar efforts in recent months have failed in recent moments.
As soon as the final phases of the negotiations are completed, the agreement will be signed and announced. This could happen in the next few days. I am very optimistic”, Arghchi told Iranian state television.
