The Trump administration hinted at the imminent signing of a memorandum of understanding with Iran, aiming to resolve the conflict. This move could lead to reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz and initiate broader talks on Tehran’s nuclear program. Senior US officials expressed confidence in the agreement’s progress despite ongoing tensions in the region and recent Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the agreement was progressing positively, emphasizing that it was a matter of “when” rather than “if.” US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, echoed this sentiment, affirming President Donald Trump’s commitment to finalizing the deal. The memorandum, once signed, would mark a significant step towards ending the months-long conflict that has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy route.
The proposed agreement aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and kickstart a process to dismantle Iran’s nuclear activities. Hegseth highlighted that the deal would be contingent on Iran’s performance, with no benefits provided until Tehran fulfills its obligations. Stressing the need for verification, he emphasized that trust was lacking in the negotiations.
Waltz outlined the US’s expectations for Iran, including the abandonment of key nuclear elements and the cessation of support for regional proxy groups. He emphasized the necessity for Iran to eliminate highly enriched uranium, halt enrichment capabilities, and cease backing terrorist proxies. The Trump administration differentiated this potential agreement from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, asserting that it would serve as a barrier to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Former officials involved in the previous negotiations expressed skepticism about the emerging deal. Former President Barack Obama doubted significant improvements over the original agreement, while former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman cautioned that finalizing the arrangement would involve extensive technical work and might surpass the current 60-day timeframe under discussion.
