Iran and US Close to Agreement on Ending War, Mediators Help Finalise Memorandum

(Patria) - Iran has committed, under a draft memorandum of understanding with the United States, not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons, a senior Iranian official has said. Information about the alleged agreement, published by an Iranian source, has not yet been commented on by the American side, Sky News reports.

According to the official, details on how to handle existing Iranian stocks of enriched uranium should be agreed within the next 60 days. Iran insists that the dilution of nuclear material be carried out within its borders.

The draft also envisages the US temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil, allowing Tehran to sell it and retain the revenue. A key part of the agreement is the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz, to be carried out by Iran, and the lifting of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.

The Iranian official claims the agreement also includes the release of frozen Iranian assets worth $25 billion by the US.

Meanwhile, Qatari negotiators travelled to Tehran this morning to help finalise an agreement that should end the war between the US and Iran. Qatar, along with Pakistan, has been mediating between the two sides in recent months, and US and Pakistani officials have said the agreement could be signed as early as today. Pakistan also welcomed progress in ending the war between the US and Iran today.

US President Donald Trump also announced that he expects the agreement to be signed during the day, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hinted on Friday that a deal is close. However, more cautious messages are also coming from Tehran, with warnings that internal political opposition from hardliners could slow the process.

According to information known so far, the agreement would include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping and the lifting of the US blockade of Iranian ports. Trump highlighted as key conditions a ban on the development of nuclear weapons and the unblocking of one of the world's most important maritime routes for the transport of oil and gas.