Iran’s state TV reveals ‘draft deal with US that sees American forces leave the Gulf
Iranian state television has revealed a draft framework deal with the US, which includes a commitment to lift the naval blockade on Iran, restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and for the American military to withdraw its forces from the Gulf region.
Tehran and Washington have in recent days been swapping proposals to end the war, which broke out on February 28 and engulfed the Middle East, while a fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8.
The broadcaster’s report on Wednesday cited what it described as a draft outline of a potential memorandum of understanding, while noting that the text was ‘still not finalised’.
Iran has since kept a tight control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy conduit, while the US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coasts since April 13.
‘The United States has committed itself to lifting Iran’s naval blockade and to cease harassing ships passing to or from the Islamic Republic of Iran,’ the state TV report said.
In return, Iran would allow commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to resume as it had before the war within one month, according to the draft.
The draft says Iran would continue to manage shipping lanes, inspect vessels, and impose service fees on ships – measures which have only been imposed since the war.
Iran’s commitments would not apply to military vessels, and Tehran had not agreed ‘to unconditionally reopen the strait,’ it added.
Iranian state television has revealed a draft framework deal with the US, which includes a commitment to lift the naval blockade on Iran and restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz
It comes after Iranians had pleaded for Donald Trump to resume the war
On the withdrawal of US troops from the region, the draft said Washington had given ‘a commitment to the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding this issue’.
It added that it remained unclear whether the commitment referred only to forces deployed before and during the war, or if it also included existing US military bases in the Gulf.
Following agreement on the framework, Tehran and Washington would enter a 60-day negotiation period, the draft said, without specifying which issues would be discussed.
‘If negotiations reach a final agreement during the 60-day period, this agreement is expected to be approved by a binding resolution of the United Nations Security Council,’ it added.
It comes after Iranians have been pleading for Donald Trump to resume the war, with several saying they had lost hope.
The regime’s brutality saw masses of demonstrators killed in January, while thousands were arrested, whom Trump had promised to ‘help’ if they were harmed.
Despite being encouraged by the US president to protest, Iranians are starting to fear he is no longer fighting in their interests.
One local told The Jerusalem Post that ‘everyone’ has been waiting for Trump ‘to finish what he started and uproot these people from the entire world.’
Another said: ‘The people of Iran were very happy about Trump returning to power and saw him as their savior, but now that trust has become very weak because of Trump’s recent policies.
‘People believe America fought only for its own national interests, and in Trump’s recent positions, there is no sign of any support that would give people hope for regime change.’
He went on to say the regime cannot be changed through civil methods and therefore can’t see ‘any way out other than war’.
‘If an agreement is reached, people will completely lose hope for changing the regime,’ the anonymous civilian added.
It comes as Trump is set to meet with his Cabinet on Wednesday at a precarious moment for talks aimed at ending the war with Iran.
As he prepares to discuss his next move with his top aides, Trump is set to close in on a deal that will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide him a credible argument that Iran’s nuclear capability has been diminished enough to declare victory.
The emerging deal has already exposed the US president to criticism that Iran’s hard-line leaders will emerge from the conflict battered but emboldened.
Pictured: A member of the Iranian security forces in front of a billboard reading ‘The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed’ in Tehran, Iran, on April 5
Talks were further complicated after US forces carried out what the Pentagon called ‘defensive’ strikes on missile launch sites and mine-laying boats in southern Iran on Monday.
The US said it acted with ‘restraint’ in light of the weekslong ceasefire, while Iran decried the action as a sign of ‘bad faith and unreliability.’
The war has also sparked concern that it could plunge the world into a financial crisis, the European Central Bank has warned.
Tehran’s decision to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz for ships carrying regional oil, natural gas and other critical supplies has been a focal point of global concern and economic pain.