Iran to Give Up Enriched Uranium Stockpiles, Not Seeking Nuclear Weapons: Details on Potential US-Iran Peace Deal | Today’s news
Hours after US President Donald Trump announced that the Iran deal was “largely negotiated”, potential details of the deal began to emerge.
The development came at the end of a week when the US considered launching new attacks on the Islamic Republic that could breach the fragile ceasefire.
Read also | US-Iran peace talks: Trump says Tehran deal ‘largely negotiated’
US-Iran deal ‘largely negotiated’: Trump
Earlier on Saturday, after Trump spoke with Gulf leaders and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he announced in a Truth Social post, “The deal has largely been negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran and various other countries as listed. Separately, I had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, who also went very well. The final aspects and details of the agreement are currently being discussed and will be announced soon. In addition to many other elements of the agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened.”
The American president did not reveal much about the details of the agreement. But the Associated Press reported that other officials on Sunday urged caution, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio noting that “significant progress has been made, although not definitive progress” in the talks. Rubio, who has been on a four-day visit to India since May 23, said he hoped for good news in the coming hours.
The US secretary of state said the talks had succeeded in one of Trump’s main goals, adding: “It’s a world that no longer has to fear or worry about Iran’s nuclear weapons.”
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Here’s what a potential deal could include:
1. According to two regional officials, the potential deal would include Iran pledging not to seek a nuclear weapon and the Islamic Republic agreeing to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
One official with direct knowledge of the talks also said how Tehran would give up highly enriched uranium would be the subject of further negotiations over the course of 60 days. The official added that it is highly likely that part of the amount will be diluted, while the remaining will be transferred to a third country, which could be Russia.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has about 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, just below the 90 percent level used in nuclear weapons.
2. The Strait of Hormuz will gradually be opened and at the same time Washington will end the blockade of Iranian ports.
3. Washington will also let the Islamic Republic sell its oil through sanctions waivers. The lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen funds to Tehran will be discussed within a 60-day time frame, the official said.
4. The draft agreement also includes an end to the war between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as a commitment not to interfere in the internal affairs of countries in the region.
Read also | US announces Israel and Lebanon to resume talks in Washington on May 14-15
More than three months have passed since the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February, killing top officials, including the Islamic republic’s supreme leader, and disrupting nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran for the second time in less than a year. Tehran retaliated, firing at Tel Aviv and neighbors in the region where US forces are based, shaking Gulf countries long considered safe havens in the volatile region.
A ceasefire has been in effect since April 7. But Iran’s decision to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz to ships carrying regional oil, natural gas and other critical supplies has been at the center of global concern and economic pain.
Israel concerned about Hezbollah
Following the US president’s announcement, Israeli officials expressed concern that Hezbollah, a militant group in Lebanon linked to Iran, remains a serious threat to Tel Aviv and that Beirut is ill-equipped to disarm the group.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Trump that Israel “maintains freedom of action against threats in all arenas, including Lebanon,” an official familiar with the conversation said.
In addition, Trump reportedly made it clear to the Israeli prime minister that he would not sign any final deal without the condition that Iran dismantle its entire nuclear program and remove all enriched uranium from the country.
A fragile truce brokered by the United States has been in place in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon since April 17, after a war that began two days after the start of the Iran conflict.
However, hostilities continued despite the agreement. Hezbollah continues to launch drones and missiles at Israeli forces and northern Israel on a daily basis, while Israel carries out strikes in Lebanon and maintains a troop presence in large areas of southern Lebanon.
