The United States and Iran have reached an interim deal aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. There are plans for a signing of the deal on Friday in Switzerland. However, previous announcements fell through, and what the deal contained remained in dispute Monday.
Key Points of the Deal
A 60-day period would address Iran’s nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday the terms of dealing with Iran’s nuclear program would be finalized in the 60 days after the initial agreement is signed and that the parties could decide to extend that period.
The US and Israel fear Iran’s nuclear program could lead to an atomic weapon — a main reason their leaders cited for going to war. Tehran has insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, though it has enough highly enriched uranium to build several atomic bombs, should it choose to do so.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
The deal may include addressing reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The US official said the emerging agreement includes provisions for reopening the strait. Araghchi said Iran wants a deal that allows Tehran to charge ships “for services rendered” when they transit the strait.
Transit through the strait, a vital shipping lane for oil and natural gas, has disrupted global energy supplies, driven up fuel prices and made food and other basics like fertilizer more expensive well beyond the region.
Sanctions Relief and Lebanon
The agreement would include Iranian sanctions relief. Three regional officials said the emerging deal was expected to include the phased lifting of sanctions on Iran and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
What will happen to Lebanon remains unclear. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said after the deal had been announced that “both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” It remains unclear whether Israel, which relies on the US but has launched wars against its enemies since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, agreed to that term.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
