White House says Iran and US agreed to 60-day ceasefire extension, awaiting Trump's approval
US and Iranian negotiators have reached a deal for a 60-day ceasefire extension that would allow them time to negotiate a full end to the war on the Islamic Republic, but the deal must be approved by US President Donald Trump, the White House said.
Iran's top leadership also has yet to give the final seal of approval.
The announcement comes as the current ceasefire between the two sides came under pressure with the US launching multiple strikes on Bandar Abbas port and Iran retaliating by striking a US military base in Kuwait.
The new deal may ease tensions as the two sides prepare to discuss thornier issues such as Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief.
“What we have here is a ticket to a negotiation - a letter of intent - if you will - to negotiations on all core issues,” Aaron David Miller, a former State Department negotiator, wrote on X.
“Get ready for painful negotiations that will feel like daily root canals and migraine headaches,” he added.
The 60-day deal is expected to allow unrestricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with no tolls or fees imposed by Iran, and the Islamic Republic will also remove any mines in the waterway within 30 days, Axios reported.
Iran has been pushing for a transit fee for the waterway as part of any deal and has discussed the proposal with Oman, whose territorial waters border Iran’s in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump threatened Oman on Wednesday when asked about a possible short-term arrangement allowing it and Iran to control the strait.
"No, the strait is going to be open to everybody," Trump said. "It's international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we'll have to blow them up."
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday also threatened to "aggressively target" Oman if it helped impose a tolling system in the strait.
As part of the ceasefire extension, the US will lift its naval blockade on Iran's ports, but only in proportion to how much commercial shipping is restored, Axios said.
The memorandum of understanding will also include an Iranian commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons, Axios said. Among the first issues to be addressed is how to dispose of Iran's stocks of enriched uranium.
Iran has been seeking sanctions relief and the unlocking of billions of dollars in frozen funds during the talks. According to Axios, during the ceasefire, the US will commit to discussing sanctions relief and the release of funds.
The memorandum between the two sides will include a discussion on a “mechanism” to allow Iran to receive goods and humanitarian aid, Axios reported.
This article was sourced from Middle East Eye.
Read Full Article on Middle East Eye →