United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced “significant progress” in talks aimed at ending the US-Israeli war on Iran. This statement came hours after President Donald Trump claimed that a memorandum of understanding to cease hostilities was “largely negotiated.”
Rubio, currently on his inaugural official visit to India, stated on Sunday that the emerging agreement would address President Trump’s concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has significantly restricted since the US and Israel initiated their conflict on February 28.
“Some progress has been made, significant progress, although not final progress has been made,” Rubio informed reporters in New Delhi. “I do think perhaps there is the possibility that in the next few hours the world will get some good news,” he added.
The agreement, Rubio further explained, would also initiate a “process that can ultimately leave us where the president wants us to be, and that is a world that no longer has to fear or worry about an Iranian nuclear weapon.”
Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim News Agency, known for its proximity to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that under a potential memorandum of understanding, the number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz would revert to pre-war levels within weeks. “If the agreement is reached, the Strait of Hormuz will not fully return to its pre-war status; instead, the number of ships allowed to pass would be restored to pre-war levels within 30 days,” Tasnim detailed.
According to Tasnim, the potential MOU also stipulates that the US naval blockade on Iranian ports must be completely lifted within 30 days, and a portion of Iran’s frozen funds must be released in the initial phase of the agreement. The proposed deal further includes a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
Tasnim indicated that measures concerning the Strait of Hormuz would be implemented over a 30-day period, while negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program would proceed for 60 days following the signing of the potential agreement.
Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem noted, “After the initial 30-day period, the parties will have 30 days to agree on the nuclear issue. These 30 days can be extended by mutual agreement. During [the initial 30-day period], passage will be facilitated through the strait. According to Iran, management of the Strait of Hormuz will be an Iranian-Omani issue and is being negotiated with Muscat.”
Iran has underscored that any potential agreement with the US is contingent upon the release of at least part of its frozen funds, which must occur in the first phase of negotiations, Tasnim reported.
President Trump, on his Truth Social platform, affirmed, “In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened.” Such a development would alleviate pressure on global energy prices, given that this crucial passageway for oil shipments has been virtually closed since the war’s commencement, with only limited safe passage for certain vessels.
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar Atas commented, “The talks are still in a delicate situation, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Once that is resolved, the second phase will focus on the nuclear negotiations. That issue has been ongoing for decades with a lot of back and forth, but the parties have not been able to agree on and stick to a deal.”
Al Jazeera correspondent Kimberly Halkett in Washington, DC, observed, “President Trump wants it to appear that he got what he wanted out of this deal, given the unpopularity of the war with the American public and his dropping approval ratings.”
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