United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced “significant progress” in ongoing discussions aimed at ending the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. His remarks came hours after President Donald Trump indicated that a memorandum of understanding to cease hostilities was “largely negotiated.”
Speaking from India during his inaugural official visit, Rubio stated on Sunday that the emerging agreement would address President Trump’s concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that Iran has largely obstructed since the US and Israel initiated their military actions on February 28. “Some progress has been made, significant progress, although not final progress has been made,” Rubio informed reporters in New Delhi, expressing optimism: “I do think perhaps there is the possibility that in the next few hours the world will get some good news.”
Rubio further elaborated that the proposed agreement would initiate a “process that can ultimately leave us where the president wants us to be, and that is a world that no longer has to fear or worry about an Iranian nuclear weapon.”
According to Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim News Agency, which maintains close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a potential memorandum of understanding outlines several key provisions. These include the restoration of the number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within weeks, specifically within 30 days, though not a full return to its pre-conflict status. The agreement also mandates the complete lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports within 30 days and the release of a portion of Iran’s frozen funds in the initial phase. Furthermore, the deal reportedly encompasses an end to the war across all fronts, including in Lebanon.
Tasnim reported that measures concerning the Strait of Hormuz would be implemented over a 30-day period, while negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program would continue for 60 days following the signing of the potential agreement. Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem added that after the initial 30-day period, parties would have an additional 30 days (extendable by mutual agreement) to finalize the nuclear issue, with passage through the strait facilitated during this time. Iran views the management of the Strait of Hormuz as an Iranian-Omani matter, currently under negotiation with Muscat.
Iran has underscored that any potential agreement with the US is contingent upon the release of at least a portion of its frozen funds during the first phase of negotiations. President Trump, on his Truth Social platform, confirmed that “In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened,” a development expected to alleviate pressure on global energy prices after the crucial oil passageway has been largely inaccessible since the war began.
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar Atas noted the delicate nature of the talks, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Once this issue is resolved, the second phase will concentrate on the long-standing nuclear negotiations. From Washington, DC, Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett suggested that President Trump aims to project an image of success from this deal, given the war’s unpopularity among the American public and his declining approval ratings.
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