United States - Iran to Sign 60-Day Ceasefire Deal to Open Hormuz Strait

Illustration - The United States (US) and the Islamic Republic of Iran in Illustration. (Antara - Anadolu Agency - pri)

JAKARTA - The United States and Iran will soon sign a 60-day extension of the ceasefire that will reopen the Strait of Hormuz, allowing Iran to restart oil sales and creating space for negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.

The still-unfinalized peace proposal could be announced as early as this Sunday, said a US official close to the draft agreement, according to a report by Axios, which was reported by Antara from Anodolu.

However, the official warned that there was still a possibility that the agreement would fail before it was signed.

According to the proposed memorandum of understanding ready to be signed, Iran will clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz and allow ships to pass without paying transit fees.

In return, Washington will lift a blockade on Iran's ports and establish a temporary exemption from sanctions that will allow Tehran to sell its oil freely within 60 days.

A US official described the framework as "performance-based relief", because the lifting of economic pressure would be based on Iran's commitments rather than being given directly at the beginning.

The draft agreement also includes Iran's commitment not to make nuclear weapons and to negotiate a suspension of uranium enrichment and the surrender of its enriched uranium stockpiles.

The easing of broader sanctions, which include the release of Iran's funds abroad, will be discussed during the truce period, but will only be implemented as part of a verified final agreement.

US forces stationed in the region will remain in their positions during the 60-day ceasefire, and will only be withdrawn after a final agreement is reached.

The draft agreement was also made in relation to efforts to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The leader of the Zionist regime of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly expressed his concerns regarding this matter when speaking via telephone with US President Donald Trump, Saturday.

A US official said Israel would still be allowed to act if Hezbollah tried to recover its weapons or launch another attack.

A number of Arab and Islamic leaders, including officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, support the diplomatic approach between the two parties.

Pakistan played a key role as a mediator, with Marshal Asim Munir flying directly to Tehran to push for a deal.

The White House also hopes that issues that have not been resolved can be agreed upon in a matter of hours.

But US officials have said the truce could end sooner if Washington concludes Tehran is not serious in its nuclear negotiations.