Washington and Tehran agree on 60-day MOU pending Trump's approval

The US website Axios reported that the United States and Iran were able to reach an agreement on a two-month memorandum of understanding aimed at extending the current ceasefire and launching new talks on the Iranian nuclear file, according to two US officials and a regional source familiar with the mediation efforts. This is the most significant diplomatic achievement since the outbreak of the current conflict, but reaching a comprehensive final settlement meets the requirements of President Trump With regard to the nuclear program, it will require additional intensive rounds of negotiations. US officials said the terms of the agreement had been mainly agreed since last Tuesday, but both sides needed to get endorsement from their top leaderships. The officials pointed out that the Iranian side later informed the mediators that it had obtained the required approvals and was ready to sign, although Tehran has not officially announced this yet. US negotiators offered to President Trump detailed the final agreement, but did not give his immediate approval, as a US official said the president told mediators he wanted several days to study and reflect. The MoU provides for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions, fees or harassment, with Iran committing to clear all mines from the strait within 30 days. The U.S. naval blockade will also be gradually lifted in parallel with the resumption of commercial shipping. The memorandum is an Iranian pledge not to seek to acquire a nuclear weapon, and to start negotiations within 60 days on how to get rid of Iranian highly enriched uranium and mechanisms for dealing with enrichment operations. In return, Washington will discuss easing sanctions and releasing frozen Iranian funds, in addition to facilitating Iran's access to goods and humanitarian aid.