The United States and Iran are close to signing a 60-day ceasefire agreement that envisages the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and a partial easing of sanctions against Tehran.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing the Axios portal, that an unnamed US official made the statement.
Under the draft agreement, Iran commits to ensuring free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and clearing naval mines, while the US undertakes to lift the blockade of Iranian ports and introduce sanctions exemptions for oil exports.
The document also includes Iran's commitment to start negotiations on not developing nuclear weapons, halting uranium enrichment, and removing highly enriched uranium stockpiles from the country. Washington stated that the subsequent lifting of sanctions and unfreezing of Iranian assets will only be possible if Tehran fulfills its obligations. According to sources, the agreement could be announced on Sunday, though it has not yet been finalized.
The draft also envisages the cessation of the war between Israel and the radical Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.
Pakistan acts as the main mediator in the talks, with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye also participating in the consultations.
According to the portal, the US is ready to go to great lengths to reset relations with Iran and allow it to fully realize its economic potential, which US President Donald Trump believes is "huge."
On February 28, the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran, conducting airstrikes on several cities. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes that day. In response, Iran attacked Israeli territory and US military bases in the Persian Gulf countries.
Iran, the US, and their allies reached a ceasefire agreement on the night of April 8. US President Donald Trump later extended the ceasefire indefinitely.
The parties held talks in Pakistan to resolve the conflict, but the first round on April 11-12 yielded no results.
To pressure Tehran, the US blockaded Iranian ports and passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran declared the strait closed to ships heading to the Persian Gulf, triggering a global energy crisis.
