Iran Tensions Ease as Trump Tells Netanyahu It Is Time for War to End
Amid easing Iran tensions, US President Donald Trump informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that it is time to end the war with Iran and described a pending US-Iran agreement as a great deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that a memorandum of understanding could be signed within days.
Trump-Netanyahu Call on Ending Iran War
US President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that it is time to end the war with Iran. [1] A senior US official told Axios that Trump called Netanyahu on Thursday evening and described the potential US-Iran agreement as "a great deal." [1] Trump stated, "This is the deal. It's a great deal, and it's time to end this war." [1] Netanyahu expressed to Trump his concern that the deal must address Iran's nuclear program but avoided any significant argument with the US president. [1] A source with direct knowledge of the call said Netanyahu was caught off guard by the pending agreement. [1] The source added that the Israeli prime minister was not directly involved in the talks and had been contacting his Washington allies for information on the status of US-Iran negotiations. [1] Netanyahu understood that a deal was about to happen and that he could not stop it. [1]
Iranian Announcement on Imminent MoU Signing
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday night that the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United States to end the war could take place within the next few days. [2] In an interview with state-run IRIB TV, Araghchi said that upon finalization the MoU will be signed digitally by both sides in their respective countries and then announced. [2] He added that following the potential signing both parties will commit not to initiate any other war and will begin the second stage of negotiations scheduled within a 60-day period to reach a final agreement focusing mainly on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions removal. [2] Araghchi stressed that Tehran insists that the only acceptable way of dealing with its highly enriched uranium will be diluting it within Iranian territory. [2] US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States had just made a great settlement of the war with Iran with an agreement expected over the next few days. [2]
Key Provisions in the Proposed US-Iran Agreement
Araghchi also said that the potential MoU would include provisions for ending the war on all fronts including Lebanon requiring Israel to withdraw from the occupied areas. [2] Other key issues in the MoU include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz the full lifting of the US anti-Iran naval blockade and the release of Iran's frozen assets. [2] On the Strait of Hormuz Araghchi said its management will definitely not return to the pre-war era. [2] While Iran will retain sovereignty and a military presence a legal system consistent with international law will be established. [2] He ruled out tolls for passage but noted that charging service fees will be reasonable. [2] A senior Iranian official has reported that Trump agreed to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets without formal announcement. [3]
Israeli Concerns and US Response
Israeli officials are concerned about the contents of the US-Iran deal but have avoided publicly criticizing it. [1] Israeli officials are concerned that the deal could limit IDF operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. [1] Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that the pending deal was based upon Trump's assessment of American interests saying that Israel reserves the right to act independently against Iran's nuclear program. [1] A US official told reporters on Friday that further Iranian support for Hezbollah would violate the agreement as would any Hezbollah fire upon Israel. [1] The official added that Washington is confident that Israel will get on board with the deal. [1] The senior US official noted that when Israel sees the full terms of the deal and appreciates that there has to be delivery from the Iranians before any benefits are delivered they will be comfortable with that. [1]
Current Strait of Hormuz Oil Flows
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said vessels under US protection were carrying about seven million barrels of oil per day through the Strait of Hormuz a substantial amount roughly half of what was transiting the waterway before the US-Israeli war on Iran began on 28 February. [4] US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also said on Friday that the US was escorting as many as 20 vessels per night out of the Strait of Hormuz. [4] Burgum added that some nights more than 20 ships are coming out and substantial amounts of oil have come out of the strait. [4]
Background on Recent Negotiations
Over recent weeks Iran and the United States have exchanged several peace proposals through Pakistan's mediation and have been working to finalize an MoU to end the war. [2] The breakthrough comes after Trump threatened to escalate the conflict with more intense bombardment of Iran and by seizing control of Iran's oil industry including capturing Iran's vital Kharg Island oil facility. [5]
What to watch next
The MoU is expected to be signed digitally within days followed by 60-day negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions removal while oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz continue to rise under US Navy escorts.
