Trump Tells Representatives Not To Rush Iran Deal As Strait Of Hormuz Reopening Nears

The United States is close to reaching a deal with Iran that would end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and see Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, regional officials told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The talks are proceeding in an "orderly and constructive manner," and Trump said he "informed my representatives not to rush into a deal," while also saying the U.S. relationship with Iran is becoming "much more professional and productive."

Al Jazeera

A person familiar with the status of negotiations told AP the agreement "will not be signed Sunday," and the strait’s reopening is described as beginning to ease a worldwide energy crisis sparked by the surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment of Iran on Feb. 28.

Under the emerging agreement, Tehran would agree to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium subject to further talks during a 60-day period, with some material likely diluted and the rest transferred to a third country, and Russia offered to take it.

Iran has 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian told state TV they were ready "to assure the world that we are not after a nuclear weapon."

Trump signaled patience in the negotiations, writing on Truth Social that "The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed," and adding "There can be no mistakes."

The BBC reported Trump said negotiations on the Iran deal "have not been fully completed yet," and he argued that his agreement represents "the opposite of that" from the Iran Nuclear Deal signed into existence by Barack Hussein Obama.

Al Jazeera

Iran pushed back on the nuclear timeline, with Reuters quoted in CNBC saying Tehran has not agreed to hand over its highly enriched uranium stockpile and that the nuclear issue was not part of the preliminary agreement with the U.S.

The BBC also cited Axios in saying the White House does not expect to reach a deal to end the war with Iran by Sunday because Iranian leadership approval would take several days, including approval of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

In parallel, Al Jazeera reported that Iranian officials described the proposal as a "framework agreement" or MoU and said Tehran’s immediate priority was ending the war, stopping any future U.S. attacks, and the fighting in Lebanon.

The draft deal described by AP would gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz in parallel with the U.S. ending its blockade, and the U.S. would allow Iran to sell its oil through sanctions waivers while sanctions relief and the release of Iran’s frozen funds would be negotiated during the 60-day time frame.

“United States President Donald Trump says a possible agreement between Washington and Tehran to end months of war is now “largely negotiated”, raising hopes that tensions in the region could ease after a flurry of diplomatic overtures involving multiple countries”

Al Jazeera

Axios described the draft MOU as including a 60-day ceasefire extension in which the Strait of Hormuz would be open with no tolls and Iran would clear the mines it deployed, while the U.S. would lift its blockade on Iranian ports and issue some sanctions waivers to allow Iran to sell oil freely.

The Guardian of the negotiations’ nuclear stakes is reflected in the demand that Iran never pursue nuclear weapons and negotiate over a suspension of its uranium enrichment program and the removal of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, as described by Axios.

The Jerusalem Post reported Iran denied agreeing to give up any enriched uranium in a US ceasefire deal, stating it had not yet accepted any action on the nuclear issue and that the nuclear issue is not part of the preliminary agreement.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera framed the sticking points as including the status of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear programme, and conflicts involving Tehran-backed groups in Lebanon, even as Trump said the agreement was "largely negotiated" and that final details would be announced soon.