N. Prabhakaran Dubai: U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that a peace deal between the United States, Iran, and several other...
N. Prabhakaran
Dubai: U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that a peace deal between the United States, Iran, and several other Middle Eastern countries has been "almost fully negotiated and finalized." However, Iran has not confirmed this. Trump's new announcement comes amid a backdrop of renewed U.S. military build-ups aimed at striking Iran.
The New York Times reported that under this agreement, Iran has agreed to give up its enriched uranium. However, the report noted that the understanding is in very general terms and has not been confirmed by official representatives from either side. The report also highlights that the phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will be included in the terms of this agreement.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain are the countries included in Trump’s peace deal. The inclusion of these Gulf nations—traditionally Iran’s rivals—could bring political stability to the region. Qatar often acts as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran.
In addition, Trump added that he spoke separately over the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and described that conversation as having gone "very well." Although Israel is not a direct party to the agreement, the stance of Iran's biggest enemy remains critical.
The Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz
Although most details of the agreement have not yet been made public, Trump stated that reopening the "Strait of Hormuz" would be a key component.
The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most vital oil transit route.
One-fifth of the globally distributed crude oil passes through it.
Sanctions imposed mutually by the U.S. and Iran had often led to the closure of this route and the seizure of ships.
The goal of the new 60-day ceasefire extension is to reopen this route in a phased manner.
However, citing the latest draft documents exchanged between the U.S. and Iran, Iran’s Fars news agency reported early Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz would remain under Iranian control. They dismissed Trump's announcement, calling it "incomplete and unrealistic."
Two Pakistani diplomatic sources involved in the talks told Reuters that the agreement currently under discussion is "comprehensive enough to end the war." One of them specified that if the U.S. accepts this memorandum of understanding, follow-up talks will resume after the Eid holidays end on Friday.
U.S. and Iran Reportedly Set to Extend Ceasefire by 60 Days
On Saturday, The Financial Times reported that the U.S. and Iran are close to reaching an agreement to extend the existing ceasefire for another 60 days. The goal is to resolve most of the issues raised during the talks within this timeframe.
The Nuclear Core: The most critical issue in the agreement is Iran's nuclear program. According to The New York Times, Iran is ready to give up high-level enriched uranium that could lead to the production of nuclear weapons. However, neither country has officially disclosed the technical terms or how this will be implemented.
This marks the most significant development on the nuclear issue between the two nations since the U.S. previously withdrew from the historic 2015 'Iran Nuclear Deal.'
Iran maintains that Trump's announcement is incomplete. Iran's official news agency, Fars, clarified that full control of the strait will remain in their hands and sovereignty will not be ceded to the U.S.
If this agreement is fully realized, it will lead to a drop in global oil prices and usher in a new era of peace in the Middle East. Nevertheless, since disagreements over Iran's domestic control persist, the official announcements in the coming days will be crucial.
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