The White House believes it is moving closer to an agreement with Iran on a one-page memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war and laying the groundwork for detailed nuclear negotiations, Axios has reported, according to Reuters.
Citing two US officials and two other sources briefed on the matter, the report said Washington expects Iranian responses on several key points within the next 48 hours.
While Axios cautioned that “nothing has been agreed yet," the report described the situation as the closest the two sides have come to a deal since the conflict began.
The reported framework would involve Iran agreeing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, while the United States would lift sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds.
The proposal would also see both sides easing restrictions around transit through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Axios.
14-POINT MEMORANDUM UNDER DISCUSSION
Reuters, citing the Axios report, said the one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding is being negotiated between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and several Iranian officials, both directly and through mediators.
In its current form, the memorandum would declare an end to the regional war and initiate a 30-day negotiation period focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, limiting Iran’s nuclear programme and lifting US sanctions.
Axios further reported that Iran’s restrictions on shipping through the strait and the US naval blockade would be gradually eased during that 30-day period.
One US official cited in the report said that if negotiations collapse, “US forces would be able to restore the blockade or resume military action."
Reuters noted that it could not independently verify the Axios report.
TRUMP SAYS IRAN WANTS A DEAL
A separate report with Reuters mentioned that US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a breakthrough, saying Tehran appeared eager to reach an agreement.
“They want to make a deal. We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday. He later added that “it’ll be over quickly."
According to Reuters, Trump has repeatedly highlighted the possibility of ending the conflict that began on February 28, though major disagreements remain over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply passed before the war.
A Pakistani source and another source briefed on the mediation also told Reuters that negotiators were close to agreeing on a preliminary one-page memorandum formally ending the conflict.
The agreement would then open discussions on restoring shipping access through the strait, lifting sanctions and setting limits on Iran’s nuclear programme.
IRAN SIGNALS CAUTION OVER PROPOSAL
Iran, however, publicly signalled caution over the US proposal.
An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson cited by Iran’s ISNA news agency said Tehran would soon communicate its response.
Meanwhile, Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei reportedly described the proposal as “more of an American wish-list than a reality."
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, also appeared sceptical about reports of an imminent agreement.
Reuters also reported that the proposed memorandum does not appear to address several longstanding US demands that Iran has rejected in the past, including restrictions on Tehran’s missile programme and ending support for proxy militias in the Middle East.
Source: News18