The United States and Iran are reportedly negotiating an agreement to end the war, with President Donald Trump expressing optimism while warning of potential escalation if Tehran does not accept the terms. “We’re doing very well in Iran,” Trump said. “It’s going very smoothly and we’ll see what happens. They want to make a deal. They want to negotiate.” Axios reports that the White House is working on a one-page memorandum of understanding with Iran. The proposed terms include lifting U.S. sanctions, distributing frozen Iranian funds, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to allow oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and other products to move through the critical waterway. On Tuesday night, Trump paused Project Freedom, a short-lived U.S. effort to force open safe passage for commercial ships through the strait. Iran’s state TV reported that nation’s navy would allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but only if ships comply with Iran’s terms. The peace proposal reportedly also requires Iran to agree to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment. “We’re not going to let Iran have a nuclear weapon. And we’re not going to let that happen. And we won’t let that happen,” Trump said. President Trump paired his diplomatic efforts with a warning, writing on social media, “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts.” Iran has sent mixed signals about the proposal. A spokesperson for Iran’s National Security Commission dismissed the deal as “a list of American wishes rather than a reality.” However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the proposal is under review, according to reports. Despite ongoing talks, tensions remain high. U.S. Central Command reported that U.S. forces fired on an Iranian-flagged tanker Wednesday after it attempted to sail toward an Iranian port.
WASHINGTON —
The United States and Iran are reportedly negotiating an agreement to end the war, with President Donald Trump expressing optimism while warning of potential escalation if Tehran does not accept the terms.
“We’re doing very well in Iran,” Trump said. “It’s going very smoothly and we’ll see what happens. They want to make a deal. They want to negotiate.”
Axios reports that the White House is working on a one-page memorandum of understanding with Iran. The proposed terms include lifting U.S. sanctions, distributing frozen Iranian funds, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to allow oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and other products to move through the critical waterway.
On Tuesday night, Trump paused Project Freedom, a short-lived U.S. effort to force open safe passage for commercial ships through the strait. Iran’s state TV reported that nation’s navy would allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but only if ships comply with Iran’s terms.
The peace proposal reportedly also requires Iran to agree to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment.
“We’re not going to let Iran have a nuclear weapon. And we’re not going to let that happen. And we won’t let that happen,” Trump said.
President Trump paired his diplomatic efforts with a warning, writing on social media, “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts.”
Iran has sent mixed signals about the proposal. A spokesperson for Iran’s National Security Commission dismissed the deal as “a list of American wishes rather than a reality.” However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the proposal is under review, according to reports.
Despite ongoing talks, tensions remain high. U.S. Central Command reported that U.S. forces fired on an Iranian-flagged tanker Wednesday after it attempted to sail toward an Iranian port.