Are US and Iran close to a war-ending agreement?

“Are US and Iran close to a war-ending agreement? Officials from the United States, Iran and Pakistan have all expressed optimism in recent hours that a deal to end the war is nearing completion. Pakistan’s military - a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran - said negotiations over the past 24 hours had produced encouraging progress towards a final understanding, as army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir concluded talks in Tehran with senior Iranian officials. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said a deal could be reached within days, possibly as early as Saturday, though he provided no further details. In Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran was finalising a memorandum of understanding that would serve as an initial framework agreement lasting between 30 and 60 days. According to Baqaei, the proposed 14-clause framework would cover issues including the Strait of Hormuz, the US naval blockade on Iran, and ending the war “on all fronts”, including Lebanon. He said Iran’s nuclear programme would not be included in the initial framework and would instead be addressed in separate talks at a later stage. During the initial 30-to-60-day period, the two sides would continue negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent agreement, he added. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that mediators believe they are close to finalising a deal to extend the ceasefire by 60 days. According to the report, the proposal would include the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and discussions on diluting or transferring Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. In return, Washington would ease restrictions on Iranian ports, offer sanctions relief and begin the phased release of Iranian assets frozen abroad.

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