HOW THE HORMUZ CRISIS DEVELOPED
-
February 28: The US and Israel launch attacks on Iran
-
Iran retaliates, effectively closing Hormuz
-
April 11-12: Historic US-Iran talks held in Islamabad
-
April 13: US begins blockade of Iranian ports
-
Iran repeatedly threatens new Hormuz restrictions
-
Trump sets multiple deadlines, then delays attacks
-
Saturday: Pakistan-led mediation pushes for new framework agreement
-
Saturday: Trump says Hormuz reopening ‘extensively negotiated’
-
Sunday: Iran’s Fars says the strait will remain under Tehran’s control
“The final aspects and details of the Agreement are being discussed and will be announced soon,” Trump said on social media, adding that he had spoken with leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, as well as Israel.
He described the deal in development as a “Memorandum of Understanding on PEACE” that had yet to be finalized by the United States, Iran and countries involved in Saturday’s talks.
No mention of the nuclear program
There was no mention of Iran’s nuclear program or its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, matters that Tehran has indicated must be discussed later.
A regional official familiar with the Pakistan-led mediation effort told the AP on Saturday that the US and Iran were nearing a deal to end the war, although “last-minute disagreements” could still derail the process.
The official said the proposed deal would include a formal declaration ending the war, followed by two months of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. The Strait of Hormuz will reopen and the US will end its blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran has meanwhile described the emerging proposal as a “framework agreement” aimed at opening wider negotiations.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the draft was intended to end the war first, with details to be negotiated over the next 30 to 60 days.
The lifting of sanctions is a primary demand
“Our focus at this stage is on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon,” Baghaei told IRNA, adding that the lifting of sanctions remains a key Iranian demand. He also said that nuclear issues were not part of the current negotiations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “some progress” had been made, but reiterated Washington’s position that Iran must never get a nuclear weapon, must hand over its highly enriched uranium and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf meanwhile warned that if Trump resumed attacks, the result would be “more crushing and bitter” than at the start of the war.
WHY THE DEAL REMAINS STUCK
-
Iran wants sanctions relief first
-
The US demands the surrender of uranium
-
Tehran says reopening of Hormuz does not mean “free passage”
-
Iran insists that management of the strait remains under its control
-
Nuclear program postponed for later negotiations
-
The risk of renewed strikes still depends on the talks
The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, ending nuclear talks. Tehran retaliated by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off one of the world’s most important energy transport routes and causing global economic pressure.
The US later imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. US Central Command said on Saturday that US forces had diverted more than 100 merchant ships and disabled four since the blockade began on April 13.
A senior associate editor with more than 30 years in the media, Stephen NR curates, edits and publishes impactful stories for Gulf News – both in print and online – focusing on Middle East politics, student affairs and commentators on global topics. Stephen has spent most of his career in journalism, working behind the scenes – forming headlines, editing copy and putting together newspaper pages with precision. For the past several years, he has brought the same dedication to Gulf News’ digital team, where he curates stories, crafts explainers and helps keep both online and print publications sharp and engaging.
