Axios: US memorandum to end the war awaits Tehran's response
The American news website Axios revealed that Washington has proposed a memorandum of understanding on ending the war in the region and is waiting for Tehran's response to it.
Axios news website quoted U.S. officials and two sources familiar with the matter as saying on Wednesday that the White House believes it is close to reaching an agreement with Iran on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and set a framework for more detailed negotiations on the nuclear program.
According to the website, the memorandum of understanding includes ending the war in the entire region, starting a 30-day period of negotiations to develop a detailed agreement that includes the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, a temporary restriction on Iran's nuclear program, and the lifting of US sanctions, pointing out that the United States expects Iranian responses on several key points within 48 hours.
Details of the agreement
The one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding is being negotiated between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and a number of Iranian officials directly and through intermediaries.
The memorandum in its current form will announce the end of the war in the region and the start of a 30-day period of negotiations on a detailed agreement to open the strait, curb Iran's nuclear program and lift U.S. sanctions.
Axios quoted a US official as saying that Iran's restrictions on navigation through the strait and the US naval blockade of Iran's ports will be gradually lifted over a period of 30 days, noting that US forces will be able to reimpose the blockade or resume military operations if negotiations collapse.
According to Axios, many of the conditions in the memorandum will be conditional on a final agreement, leaving the possibility of renewed war or a state of ongoing stalemate, pointing out that new negotiations between the two parties could take place in Islamabad or Geneva.
Axios said that the duration of the moratorium on uranium enrichment is currently being negotiated, with three sources telling the site that it will be at least 12 years, while another source is likely to reach 15 years, as Iran had proposed a 5-year moratorium, while the United States had demanded a 20-year moratorium.
The United States is seeking to include a clause stating that any Iranian breach related to the enrichment process will result in an extension of the freeze period, while Iran will be able to enrich uranium to the low level of 3.67% after this period ends.
Iran evaluates peace proposal
A CNBC report , citing an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, reported that Tehran is "evaluating" Washington's 14-point peace proposal.
According to sources, US President Donald Trump's decision to back down from Operation Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz and avoid the collapse of the fragile ceasefire was the result of progress in the talks.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted a message thanking Trump for the suspension of the "Freedom Project," saying, "We are very optimistic that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that will ensure sustainable peace and stability for the region."
China, Saudi Arabia support diplomatic track
These developments coincide with the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to Beijing on Wednesday, where the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that "the current regional situation is going through a critical juncture of the transition from war to peace."
"A complete cessation of hostilities is necessary," the Chinese Foreign Ministry added, calling on "concerned parties" to restore normal and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan also held a phone call with Araqchi in Beijing, during which they discussed the latest regional developments and efforts to maintain the security and stability of the region, and stressed the continuation of the path of diplomacy and cooperation between the countries of the region to prevent or escalate tensions.
Trump suspends 'freedom project' in Hormuz
Earlier today, US President Donald Trump suspended the US military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz two days after its launch, while Tehran announced the creation of a new mechanism to manage the passage of ships through the strait.
"The Freedom Project will be suspended briefly to see if the agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump wrote on his platform Truth Social.
"We mutually agreed to suspend the freedom project while the blockade continues to be in full force and effective," the US president added, explaining that "the agreement to suspend the freedom project came at the request of Pakistan and other countries," referring to what he described as "the military success we have achieved and progress towards reaching a comprehensive agreement."