U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that negotiating a deal with Iran could "take a few days," dampening hopes for an imminent end to the conflict after U.S. defensive strikes in southern Iran. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed progress on a potential 14-point memorandum of understanding (MOU), but not an immediate deal.
Discussions, following an early April ceasefire, are stalled on Iran's nuclear ambitions, Israel's war in Lebanon with Hezbollah, and Tehran's demands for sanctions lifting and frozen asset release. The framework focuses on ending the war and a U.S. naval blockade, in exchange for Iran ensuring safe transit in the Strait of Hormuz. Senior Iranian diplomat Hossein Nooshabadi detailed Iran's draft, including ending the war on all fronts, releasing blocked assets, lifting the blockade, opening Hormuz, withdrawing U.S. forces, and freedom to sell oil, notably without nuclear commitments. A senior U.S. official indicated Iran agreed "in principle" to open Hormuz and dispose of highly enriched uranium for blockade lifting. If Iran's Supreme National Security Council and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei approve the MOU, the nuclear issue could be negotiated within 60 days.
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