HIBAPRESS
American sources revealed on Thursday that the United States and Iran have reached a preliminary framework for an agreement to extend the ceasefire for 60 days, pending approval by US President Donald Trump.
The French News Agency quoted American sources as saying that the two sides are awaiting Trump's approval of the agreement, while four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Washington and Tehran have reached a memorandum of understanding to extend the truce for two months, without yet receiving final approval from the US President. An informed American official confirmed to the Associated Press that negotiators from both sides had reached a preliminary agreement that included extending the ceasefire and launching talks on the Iranian nuclear program, noting that the adoption of the memorandum of understanding was still subject to Trump's approval. In contrast, a source within the Iranian negotiating team denied the accuracy of the news circulating, telling the Iranian Tasnim agency that the text "has not been finally adopted yet," considering that talking about a concluded agreement is inaccurate. This data coincides with what the Axios website reported, which spoke of a memorandum of understanding that includes extending the truce and starting negotiations on the Iranian nuclear file. According to the same website, the memorandum stipulates ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions or fees, in exchange for Iran's commitment to remove mines from the waterway within 30 days. It also includes a partial easing of US restrictions on Iranian ports and allowing Tehran to resume its oil exports within the framework of suspending some sanctions. The memorandum also stipulates, according to Axios, an Iranian commitment not to seek to possess a nuclear weapon, provided that the upcoming negotiations include discussing the fate of the enriched uranium stockpile that Tehran possesses. This comes at a time when Trump has repeatedly stressed his rejection of Iran possessing nuclear weapons within any possible settlement of the war that broke out in the Middle East at the end of last February, despite the approval of a ceasefire on April 8. In parallel with the diplomatic efforts, the past few hours witnessed an exchange of accusations between Washington and Tehran of violating the truce. The US military announced the downing of four Iranian drones and the carrying out of strikes on a base in southern Iran, while the Revolutionary Guard said it had targeted an American base, while the Kuwaiti army reported that it had repelled missile attacks and hostile drones.
