"I truly believe there's a possibility the world will receive good news in the next few hours," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters today in New Delhi, India, referring to a potential agreement with Iran.
Rubio added that the developing agreement would address Washington's concerns about the Hormuz Strait, a strategic strait Iran largely blockaded in response to attacks by the US and Israel.
"This agreement will also initiate a process that could lead us to the goal the US president desires, which is a world no longer fearing or being insecure about Iran possessing nuclear weapons," Secretary of State Rubio emphasized.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New Delhi, India on 24/5. Photo: Reuters
US President Donald Trump previously stated that an agreement with Iran, including a provision to reopen the Hormuz Strait, was "basically done" and awaiting finalization. "The final aspects and details of the agreement are under discussion and will be announced soon," he said.
Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on the same day that, according to the preliminary agreement expected to be announced soon, conflict would cease on all fronts, including Lebanon. Israel, as a US ally, would be required to stop its operations in Lebanon. The US would also withdraw forces from the area surrounding Iran.
The potential agreement also stipulates that the number of vessels permitted to pass through the Hormuz Strait would return to pre-conflict levels within 30 days. The naval blockade against Iran must be fully lifted within 30 days. If the blockade is not lifted, there would be no changes to the Hormuz Strait.
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An Iranian-flagged tugboat moves near a docked vessel in the Hormuz Strait, in a photo released on 4/5. Photo: AFP
A 60-day period would be established for negotiations on the nuclear issue. Another provision is that a portion of Iran's frozen assets must be released in the first phase. The US would commit to a sanctions waiver for Iranian oil during negotiations, allowing Tehran to sell oil without restrictions.
However, contrary to the US Secretary of State's statement, Tasnim reported that Iran has not accepted any provisions related to the nuclear sector at the current stage. A senior Iranian source stated that the country has not agreed to hand over its highly enriched uranium stockpile and that the nuclear issue was not part of the preliminary agreement with the US.
"The nuclear issue will be resolved in negotiations to reach a final agreement, therefore it is not part of the current agreement. There is no agreement yet on transporting Iran's highly enriched uranium reserves out of the country," the source said.
Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters, Tasnim)
