U.S. and Iran Near Interim Deal Amid Disputes on Uranium and Regional Conflicts

The United States and Iran have reportedly agreed to an interim deal intended to conclude the ongoing regional conflict and facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. A signing ceremony for the agreement is scheduled for Friday in Switzerland. However, the exact terms of the deal were still subject to dispute on Monday, as earlier announcements of an agreement had not materialized.

The conflict, initiated by the U.S. and Israel on February 28, has significantly impacted the region, virtually halting oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf. A fragile ceasefire has been in effect since April 7.

A central component of the emerging agreement addresses Iran's nuclear program. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the final details regarding Iran's nuclear program would be finalized within 60 days of the initial agreement's signing, with the option to extend this period. The U.S. and Israel have expressed concerns that Iran's nuclear program could lead to the development of atomic weapons, which their leaders cited as a primary reason for engaging in the conflict. Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes, although it possesses sufficient highly enriched uranium to construct several atomic bombs if it chose to.

A senior U.S. administration official, who briefed reporters anonymously, stated on Friday that the emerging agreement would initiate the process of destroying or removing Tehran’s highly enriched uranium. This assertion is contested by Iran, which has insisted it will retain its stockpile. The official indicated that the 60-day period following the deal's signing would be used to work out technical details for the uranium's removal. The official did not specify who the U.S. envisions taking responsibility for removing the uranium, which is believed to be housed under three nuclear sites damaged by U.S. strikes last year.

The deal is also expected to include provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. official confirmed the inclusion of such provisions in the emerging agreement. Araghchi stated that Iran seeks a deal allowing Tehran to charge ships "for services rendered" when transiting the strait. Iran had previously charged vessels for passage during the conflict, a practice the U.S. and other nations have deemed a violation of international law. While the strait lies within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, it has long been regarded as international water. Disruptions to transit through this vital shipping lane have affected global energy supplies, increased fuel prices, and raised the cost of essential goods like food and fertilizer beyond the region.

Furthermore, three regional officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, indicated that the emerging deal is expected to include the phased lifting of sanctions on Iran and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

The situation in Lebanon remains unclear. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced after the deal that “both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” It is uncertain whether Israel, which has been involved in conflicts against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, has agreed to this term. Iran has insisted that any deal must include a ceasefire in Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Friday that Israel could still act independently toward Iran and would not withdraw from the zones it occupies in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, nor from the northern refugee camps of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

(Source: Fortune)