US President Donald Trump has said that if Iran agrees to meet the agreed terms, the conflict would be over and the Strait of Hormuz would be open to all, while otherwise the bombing would be more intense than before.
“Assuming that Iran agrees to fulfill what has been agreed, which is perhaps a big assumption, the already legendary ‘Epic Fury’ would be over, and a very effective blockade would allow the Strait of Hormuz to be open to all, including Iran,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social network.
He pointed out that if Iran does not agree, the bombing would begin and that, unfortunately, it would be at a much higher level and more intense than before, reports Tanjug.
As Axios reported earlier today, citing US officials familiar with the negotiations, the US and Iran are close to reaching a preliminary memorandum of understanding that could mark the end of the current conflict and pave the way for more detailed negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
According to these reports, Washington expects Tehran’s response on key points of the agreement within the next 48 hours, and although an agreement has not yet been reached, sources estimate that the two sides are closest to an agreement since the beginning of the conflict.
The proposed memorandum, which contains 14 points, would include Iran’s commitment to a moratorium on uranium enrichment, while at the same time gradually lifting US sanctions and releasing frozen Iranian assets.
It would also provide for the easing of restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
As stated, the document would declare an end to hostilities and launch a thirty-day period of negotiations on a comprehensive agreement, which would include nuclear restrictions, freedom of navigation and economic measures.
Islamabad and Geneva are mentioned as possible locations for the continuation of negotiations.
US officials state that during that period, Iranian restrictions on navigation would be gradually lifted, as well as US naval measures, with the possibility of their re-introduction if the negotiations fail.
The key issue in the negotiations remains the duration of the moratorium on uranium enrichment.
Sources say the US is seeking a period of up to 20 years, while Iran is proposing five years, with compromise solutions ranging from 12 to 15 years.
After that period, Iran could be allowed to enrich uranium at a low level.
According to the proposal, Iran would commit not to developing nuclear weapons and to accepting an enhanced regime of international inspections, including unannounced checks.
The possibility of removing highly enriched uranium from the country, which is one of Washington’s key demands, is also being considered.
The US administration estimates that there are divisions within the Iranian leadership that could make it difficult to reach a final agreement, while some US officials remain skeptical about the outcome of the negotiations.
US President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon the planned military operation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources, is related to progress in the negotiations and an effort to preserve the fragile ceasefire.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that this is a complex and technically demanding process, emphasizing the need for a clear diplomatic framework, but at the same time expressed doubts about the Iranian leadership’s willingness to reach an agreement.
