The United States and Iran are discussing a plan that would open the Strait of Hormuz roughly 30 days after the two sides reach a deal to end hostilities, a Middle East diplomatic source told Nikkei on Monday.
Key Elements of the Proposed Plan
Iran would proceed with clearing mines from the strait during a 30-day window following an agreement, the source said. Afterward, ships from all countries would be able to navigate freely and safely, just as they did before the de facto shutdown. Iran would stop collecting transit fees.
The ceasefire agreed by the US and Iran in early April would be extended for 60 days under the plan, the Nikkei report said. Talks on Iran's nuclear program would be held during this two-month pause in hostilities. Specific measures would be worked out for handling Iran's enriched uranium.
The lifting of US sanctions and the unfreezing of Iranian assets would be implemented in stages, according to the source.
Regional Considerations
Areas where fighting would cease include Lebanon. Iran has demanded that Israel halt attacks on Hezbollah as a condition for ending the conflict. Israel, meanwhile, is demanding that Hezbollah disarm.
But the approval of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is said to be key to the proposed deal, Nikkei reported. Whether a final agreement will be reached remains unclear.
Recent US Military Actions
Even as negotiators discussed the plan, US forces attacked missile sites in southern Iran and boats trying to lay mines on Monday, US Central Command said.
"US forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces," Tim Hawkins, a US Central Command spokesman, said in a statement. The targets included missile launch sites and boats trying to "emplace mines."
The strikes threatened an already fragile ceasefire that began April 8.
Trump's Stance
On Sunday, President Donald Trump wrote on social media that he had told his representatives "not to rush into a deal."
Trump also said he expected Iran to hand over its enriched uranium to the United States to be destroyed, or have it destroyed in Iran with an international witness.
"The Enriched Uranium (Nuclear Dust!) will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed or, preferably... destroyed in place," Trump wrote.
Iranian Perspective
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that conclusions have been reached on a large portion of issues, but "to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent — no one can make such a claim."
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