Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
A framework agreement between the United States and Iran is reportedly “95%” complete, with negotiators still discussing key wording related to the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear stockpile, according to a report by Fox News citing US officials.
The report comes after US President Donald Trump stated that a deal with Iran had been largely agreed upon, with only final details and technical aspects still under discussion before an official announcement.
Unnamed US officials cited by Fox News said Tehran had already agreed in principle to the framework of the proposed agreement.
“We are 95% there,” one official reportedly said. “We have a deal on the nuclear stockpile and the Strait of Hormuz but are negotiating language.”
Draft resolution declares end to war
The wording “extending the ceasefire for 60 days” is not included in the memorandum of understanding currently under discussion, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported, noting instead that the document refers to “the declaration of an end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.”
According to the agency, the draft text, which has yet to receive final approval, outlines a 30-day deadline to address the issue of the Strait of Hormuz and the naval blockade, while allocating a separate 60-day period for talks surrounding the nuclear file.
Details emerging from a potential preliminary understanding between Iran and the United States indicate that any signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) will not restore the pre-war status of the Strait of Hormuz, according to earlier reports from Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.
Contrary to claims by some Western media outlets that the Strait’s pre-war status could be restored within 30 days, the draft MOU reportedly stipulates only a return to pre-war transit capacity for the number of vessels passing through the strategic waterway, not a full return to previous conditions.
Iran has reiterated that it will continue to exercise its sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz through various means, with further details to be announced in due course.
Asset release and oil sanctions
According to Tasnim, the initial step of any agreement would require the release of a portion of Iran’s frozen assets. Tehran has insisted that any preliminary MoU is conditional on the release of a minimum amount of these assets in a manner that allows full access by Iranian entities.
Over the past weeks, the United States reportedly sought to link the release of these assets to a potential final agreement on Iran’s nuclear file. However, Iran has successfully pressed for the release of at least a portion from the very start of the MoU’s announcement.
Mechanisms for the release of remaining assets will be addressed during subsequent negotiations. The report warned that if the US again obstructs the release, Iran will reconsider its participation in future talks.
On oil sanctions, Washington is expected to commit to a waiver period during negotiations, allowing Iran to sell its oil without current sanctions-related restrictions.
