US-Iran deal talks focus on ending war, reopening Strait of Hormuz, and enriched uranium

Regional officials said the United States and Iran were nearing an agreement that could end the war. The draft deal would also reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The officials told The Associated Press on Sunday that Iran would give up highly enriched uranium. They said timelines and final steps were still being worked out.

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On Saturday, Trump said talks were close to completion after calls with Israel. "Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly,\" Trump said on social media. Officials said Iran had not publicly agreed to surrender uranium. That remains a main demand of US President Donald Trump.

Iran nuclear programme talks and uranium stockpile

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting India, said negotiations had moved forward. Rubio said there was significant progress, but not final progress. Rubio added the world would no longer need to fear Iran getting a nuclear weapon. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian told state TV they were ready to assure the world that we are not after a nuclear weapon.

Iran’s embassy in India replied to Rubio on social media with a firm message. It said Tehran has an inalienable right to nuclear technology. Iran also said peaceful nuclear science is a legitimate right it will never relinquish. Iran has long said its programme is peaceful. Yet Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels.

Two regional officials said Tehran would give up its highly enriched uranium stockpile. They spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the talks. One official said the method would be decided during a 60-day period. Some material could be diluted. The rest could be sent to a third country, possibly Russia.

Iran holds 440.9 kilograms, or 972 pounds, of uranium enriched to 60 per cent. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that figure. Experts say 60 per cent is a short technical step from weapons-grade. Weapons-grade is about 90 per cent purity. Russia has offered to take the uranium, one official said.

Trump has pushed Iran for terms beyond a 2015 deal under President Barack Obama. The United States later left that agreement during Trump’s earlier term. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said differences were narrowing. Baghaei told state media Iran remained cautious. Baghaei cited two attacks in the past year during nuclear talks.

Strait of Hormuz reopening plan and energy crisis

The Strait of Hormuz closure followed a surprise US and Israeli bombardment of Iran on Feb. 28. Iran then effectively shut the key waterway, officials said. The move helped trigger a global energy crisis. Prices rose for oil, gas, and several downstream products. Experts said recovery could take weeks or months.

Under the emerging agreement, officials said the Strait would reopen in stages. This would happen as the US ended its blockade of Iran’s ports. The second official said the US would allow Iran to sell oil. This would be done through sanctions waivers. Talks on sanctions relief and frozen funds would run in the 60-day window.

The US had recently warned it could restart bombing, officials said. They said renewed strikes would likely extend the Strait closure. It could also prompt Iranian retaliation against Israel. Officials said retaliation could also hit Gulf energy producers allied with the US. Those risks appeared to shape the push for a deal.

Israel concerns over Hezbollah and ceasefire terms

Officials said the draft deal also covered fighting beyond Iran itself. It includes ending the war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon. The officials also said parties would commit to not interfere in domestic affairs across the region. They gave no further detail on enforcement or monitoring.

Twelve weeks have passed since the US and Israel attacked Iran, killing its supreme leader. Other top officials were also killed, the officials said. A ceasefire with Iran has held since April 7. However, the sides have exchanged fire at times. Several countries welcomed the progress, including the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Trump about Israeli security policy, an official said. Netanyahu said Israel keeps freedom of action against threats in all arenas. This includes Lebanon, the official added. The official said Trump would not sign a final deal without Iran dismantling its entire nuclear programme and surrendering all enriched uranium.

Israel’s Science Minister Gila Gamliel said Israel was watching developments closely. Gamliel, from Netanyahu’s Likud party, spoke to Israel’s Army Radio. Israeli officials said Hezbollah remained a major threat. They also said Lebanon was not ready to disarm it. These worries have shaped Israel’s view of any agreement.

A US-brokered ceasefire started in Lebanon on April 17, but violence has continued. Fighting has been centred in southern areas. Hezbollah has launched daily drone and rocket attacks on Israeli forces. Israel has struck targets across Lebanon. Israeli troops have stayed across large parts of the south.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said more than 3,000 people have died in this fighting. Netanyahu’s office reported losses on the Israeli side. It said 22 Israeli soldiers and a defence contractor died in or near southern Lebanon. It also said two civilians were killed in northern Israel. The negotiations continued alongside these events.

With inputs from PTI