U.S.-Iran Deal to Negotiate Uranium Reduction, Sanctions Relief, and Frozen Funds Release Over 60-Day Period

(SeaPRwire) –   On Sunday, regional officials informed The Associated Press that the United States and Iran are nearing an agreement to halt hostilities, unlock the Strait of Hormuz, and compel Tehran to surrender its highly enriched uranium reserves, though specific terms and schedules remain to be finalized.

Although the two nations have repeatedly come close to a breakthrough in recent weeks without finalizing a pact, Tehran has yet to publicly agree to surrender its uranium, which remains a primary demand of U.S. President Donald Trump.

During a trip to India on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that negotiators have achieved “significant progress, although not final progress,” adding without further detail that global concerns over Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon would soon be resolved.

In response to Rubio’s remarks, the Iranian embassy in India asserted on social media that Tehran possesses an “inalienable” right to nuclear technology, reiterating its long-standing claim that its nuclear endeavors are entirely peaceful.

Unblocking the strategic waterway would help alleviate a global energy crisis triggered by the unexpected joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, which prompted Tehran to shut down the strait. The blockade has disrupted the global economy by driving up prices for crude oil, natural gas, and related refined products.

Washington had recently threatened to restart its airstrikes, a move that would have likely extended the shipping blockade and provoked Iranian retaliatory strikes against Israel and American-aligned Gulf energy states.

Proposed Agreement Requires Iran to Surrender Uranium

Trump announced on social media on Saturday that a pact was “largely negotiated” following discussions with Israel and regional partners, stating that the final aspects and details of the deal are currently being discussed and will be announced shortly.

According to two regional officials speaking anonymously about the delicate talks, the prospective agreement would require Tehran to relinquish its entire stock of highly enriched uranium.

An official directly involved in the talks explained that the exact mechanism for relinquishing the highly enriched uranium would be determined during a 60-day negotiation window. The official indicated that a portion of the material would likely be diluted, while the remainder could be shipped to a third nation, such as Russia.

Data from the International Atomic Energy Agency shows that Iran currently holds 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which is only a minor technical step away from the 90% threshold required for weapons-grade material.

Via a social media post from its embassy in India, Iran declared that utilizing nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes is a “legitimate and inalienable right of its people,” emphasizing that it “will never relinquish this lawful and internationally recognized right.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told state media on Saturday that while the gap between U.S. and Iranian positions is shrinking, Tehran remains wary after experiencing two separate military strikes during nuclear talks over the past year.

Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, who has played a central role in mediating the talks, departed Tehran late Saturday following several days of meetings with Iranian leadership.

Reopening of the Strait and Resumption of Iranian Oil Sales

The officials noted that the draft agreement outlines a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, occurring alongside the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports.

A second official briefed on the discussions stated that Washington would grant sanctions waivers to permit Iranian oil exports. Additionally, negotiations regarding broader sanctions relief and the unfreezing of Iranian assets would take place within the 60-day period.

According to both sources, the draft accord also calls for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and the Iranian-supported Hezbollah group in Lebanon, alongside mutual pledges of non-interference in the internal affairs of regional nations.

It has been twelve weeks since the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that claimed the lives of its supreme leader and other high-ranking officials. While a ceasefire has been in place since April 7, sporadic exchanges of fire have still occurred.

Numerous international actors, including the United Kingdom and the European Union, expressed support for the progress being made toward a potential agreement.

Israeli Apprehensions Regarding Hezbollah

Authorities in Israel remain anxious that Hezbollah continues to pose a major security threat, pointing out that the Lebanese government lacks the capacity to disarm the militant group.

An official speaking on the condition of anonymity disclosed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned Trump that Israel reserves the right to act independently against threats across all fronts, including Lebanon.

The same source stated that Trump assured Netanyahu he would refuse to sign any final accord unless it mandated the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program and the total surrender of its enriched uranium.

On Sunday, Israel’s Science Minister Gila Gamliel, a Likud party member serving on the national security cabinet, told Army Radio that Israel is currently adopting a cautious, observational stance.

Despite a delicate, U.S.-mediated truce taking effect in Lebanon on April 17, clashes have persisted, particularly in the southern region. Hezbollah continues to launch daily rocket and drone strikes at northern Israel and Israeli troops, while Israel has conducted airstrikes throughout Lebanon and maintained a significant military presence in the south.

The Lebanese Health Ministry reports that the recent conflict has claimed over 3,000 lives. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s office stated that 22 Israeli troops and one defense contractor have died in or near southern Lebanon, alongside two civilian casualties in northern Israel.