Tehran, Iran. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday that conclusions have been reached on many topics discussed in a potential 14-point memorandum of understanding, but that does not mean a deal to end the Middle East war is imminent.
Talks framework
The framework is focused on ending the war and a U.S. naval blockade in exchange for Tehran taking steps to ensure safe transit in the Strait of Hormuz, spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.
Both sides say they have made progress on a memorandum of understanding that would halt the war and give negotiators 60 days to reach a final deal.
Outstanding disputes
The two sides have remained at odds on difficult issues including Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israel’s war in Lebanon with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia, and Tehran’s demands for the lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets.
Reported contents of draft deal
Senior Iranian diplomat Hossein Nooshabadi told ISNA news agency on Monday that the possible framework deal included an end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, the release of blocked Iranian assets, the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade and opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the vicinity of Iran and freedom to sell Iranian oil.
Nooshabadi said Iran’s draft for an initial agreement contained no commitments on Iran’s nuclear programme.
A senior official in U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Iran had agreed “in principle” to open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its naval blockade, and to dispose of Tehran’s highly enriched uranium.
Approval process
Baghaei said the potential initial deal had no specific details about the management of Hormuz. Nooshabadi said management of the strait was an Iranian-Omani issue under discussion with Oman.
If Iran’s Supreme National Security Council approves the memorandum of understanding, it will then be sent to the country’s supreme leader for final approval.
The U.S. understood Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had endorsed the broad template of the deal, the senior U.S. official said.
