Credited from: LATIMES
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a memorandum of understanding with Iran to end hostilities has been "largely negotiated," with key elements including reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Trump described the ongoing discussions as involving various Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, and indicated that "final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed" and "will be announced shortly," according to aljazeera, reuters, and lemonde.
However, Iranian officials have contested Trump's assertions. They emphasize that control over the Strait of Hormuz will remain with Iran and that the U.S. claims on the reopening of the strait are "inconsistent with reality," as reported by reuters and indiatimes. The discussions include broader topics, but Iran has indicated that its nuclear program will not be part of initial negotiations.
Amidst these negotiations, Trump has warned that military action remains a possibility if an agreement is not reached, stating, "we're going to have a situation where no country will ever be hit as hard as they’re about to be hit," according to middleeasteye. Regional leaders have expressed optimism regarding the potential for peace, with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasizing the productive nature of recent discussions.
Concerns from U.S. Republican hawks have intensified over Trump's reported concessions, which they argue may strengthen Iran and jeopardize Israel's security. Prominent figures, including Senator Lindsey Graham, argue that a deal allowing Iran to maintain military capabilities could represent a "nightmare for Israel," as covered by latimes and middleeasteye.
With diplomatic efforts evolving, the two sides have outlined a framework that may lead to a ceasefire lasting 30 to 60 days, focusing on core issues such as the status of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program. This framework aims to stabilize the region amidst ongoing tensions, despite significant pushback from Iranian officials concerning the narrative presented by the U.S., as mentioned by npr and aljazeera.