4 Latest Developments in US-Iran Peace Proposal: Will Strait of Hormuz Open?
The United States (US) and Iran appear closer than ever to reaching a peace deal. Previous months of conflict have destabilised the Middle East and disrupted global oil markets.
US President Donald Trump stated that peace proposal talks were constructive. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and Trump agreed that any final deal must fully eliminate the ‘nuclear threat’ from Iran.
Conversely, Iranian state news agency Tasnim reported that key clauses of the potential agreement remain unresolved, including frozen Iranian assets. What are the facts?
- Nuclear
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, said nuclear issues are not part of the initial framework and would be discussed separately later.
However, the New York Times, citing two unnamed US officials, said a key element of the proposed deal is Tehran’s commitment to relinquish its highly enriched uranium stockpiles. Iran has previously insisted its uranium enrichment is not for nuclear weapons, contrary to Western claims.
‘The question of how Iran will achieve this will be discussed in subsequent nuclear programme negotiation rounds,’ the newspaper said.
However, Iranian news agencies Fars and Tasnim reported Iran has made no commitments regarding its nuclear programme. Both outlets stated nuclear issues would be negotiated within 60 days of a deal being signed.
‘Iran has made no commitments in this agreement to hand over nuclear stockpiles, move equipment, close facilities, or even pledge not to build nuclear bombs,’ the outlets reported.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu said during Saturday’s conversation that Trump and he agreed any final deal with Iran must completely eliminate the nuclear threat, meaning dismantling Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities and relocating enriched nuclear material from Iranian territory.
- Strait of Hormuz Status?
A key sticking point in talks is maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route under Iranian control since the war began. Iran insists ships must obtain permission from its armed forces.
However, Trump said on Saturday that progress had been made on the Strait of Hormuz, with the waters set to reopen, a development that eases global energy markets.
However, Fars reported that if finalised, the potential deal would maintain Iranian control over the strategic waterway. Tasnim stated ‘the status of the Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions’.
‘Naval blockades, according to the reported framework, must also be fully lifted within 30 days,’ the Iranian outlet said, referring to US port blockades against Iran.
- Iran’s Assets and Sanctions
Iran has long demanded the release of assets frozen under longstanding US sanctions. According to Tasnim, Iran insists any initial deal must include partial access to these assets.
Tasnim cited a source familiar with the matter stating Iran has stressed no deal will be possible unless part of its frozen assets are released in the first stage, with clear mechanisms to ensure continued unfreezing of all blocked funds.
‘Disagreement over this issue is one reason a final deal has not yet been reached,’ said a Tasnim source.
Fars reported the potential deal would also include temporary US sanctions relief on Iran’s oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors during negotiations.
- Lebanon?
Israel has carried out daily attacks in Lebanon despite a US-mediated ceasefire. Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah.
Iran previously stated any ceasefire must apply to all regional fronts, including Lebanon. Hezbollah says it is confident its ally will not abandon it.
Tasnim reported a memorandum of understanding (MOU) would be announced first, stressing an end to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon. The outlet stated that, under the deal, Israel as a US ally is expected to halt the war in Lebanon.
‘Baqaei told state television that at this stage, we will not discuss nuclear details… we have decided to prioritise urgent issues for all: ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon,’ the outlet quoted the foreign ministry spokesperson.