US and Iran close to signing ceasefire agreement
The US and Iran have agreed on a draft ceasefire deal that would restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and lift the US naval blockade, with talks on Iran's nuclear program to follow.
The United States and Iran signaled on Friday, June 12, that an agreement to end the war between them may soon be signed. A senior US administration official said both sides have agreed on the text of the document, and Washington expects the initial deal to be signed in the coming days.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that changes to the document are still possible, but the preliminary agreement shows that Iran emerged from the conflict stronger. According to him, "Iran is the winner in the war with the US."
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the proposed memorandum includes restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. After that, the parties would move to negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, which Trump called the main reason for starting the war.
A US official speaking on condition of anonymity said the deal meets Trump's key goals and puts the negotiating process in a "very, very good position." However, several Western, Pakistani, and Iranian sources reported that the terms of the draft may be favorable primarily to Iran, prompting criticism of Trump, which he dismissed as inaccurate.
Araghchi said Iran, together with Oman, will maintain control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, stating: "Our sword will always hang over the Strait of Hormuz."
The draft deal, described by several sources to Reuters, provides for the US to unfreeze billions of dollars in Iranian assets and ease oil export sanctions in exchange for Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. Iran's nuclear program will be subject to separate talks lasting 60 days. The US official said the ultimate goal is to eliminate Iran's nuclear program, with stocks of highly enriched uranium destroyed and removed from the country. Araghchi emphasized that Tehran does not agree to dismantle the nuclear program but insists on reducing the enrichment level of existing stocks.
The US official also denied reports that the deal includes war reparations to Iran or a waiver of US demands regarding Iran's missile program.
Earlier, President Donald Trump said the signing could take place this weekend in Europe, and the Iranian foreign minister said a deal is "closer than ever." Trump also announced he had canceled planned strikes on Iran because negotiating teams had finalized the "final points" of the agreement.
