US President Donald Trump don tell im negotiators make dem no rush into any deal with Iran, even though earlier im don suggest say agreement nearly ready. According to reports, the deal wey dey under discussion include 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening of Strait of Hormuz, and plan for more talks on Iran nuclear programme.
For one social media post, Trump talk say constructive talks dey go on, but both sides must take their time and get am right. On Saturday, Trump don yarn say agreement don largely be negotiated, wey make people think say announcement fit come anytime. Iranian officials also give similar signal over weekend, with foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei talk say both sides dey both very close and very far from reaching agreement.
According to US media, the mooted deal no be final settlement, instead e go leave some of the thorniest issues to negotiate later. Dis include scope and timing of Iranian sanctions relief, release of frozen Iranian funds, and Washington demands for Iran to curb nuclear ambitions. The reported don split Republicans, with some dey argue say e too lenient on Iran.
Senator Ted Cruz call am a disastrous mistake, while Roger Wicker wey chair Senate Armed Services Committee talk say 60-day ceasefire go mean everything accomplished by Operation Epic Fury go be for naught. But Representative Mike Lawler wey sit for House Foreign Affairs Committee say administration don manage to force the remnants of this regime into a negotiation, a real negotiation.
US and Israel launch wide-ranging strikes on Iran on 28 February, sparking conflict across Middle East. Iran respond by attacking Israel and US-allied states for Gulf, and effectively closing Strait of Hormuz, wey carry around 20% of world oil and liquefied natural gas. Dis move send oil prices soaring globally.
Shortly after ceasefire for early April, US establish blockade of Iranian ports wey Trump say go remain in full force and effect until agreement reach, certify, and sign. For Sunday post on Truth Social, Trump reiterate say Iran must understand e no fit develop nuclear weapon. Tehran don repeatedly talk say nuclear programme na solely for peaceful purposes.
Some reports for US media suggest say deal fit see Iran agree to eventually hand over highly-enriched uranium. At start of war, Iran get about 440kg of uranium wey enrich up to 60% purity, just short process away from weapons-grade 90% wey fit allow am create nuclear bomb.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian tell state TV say Iran ready to assure the world say dem no dey after nuclear weapon. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier talk say significant but not final progress don make for negotiations. E hint say progress for last 48 hours fit result for completely open strait.
On Saturday, Baghaei tell state television say Iran dey process of finalising memorandum of understanding wey go allow additional talks over final agreement. Trump also describe deal as memorandum of understanding for Truth Social post on Saturday. Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar wey don dey mediate talks say recent negotiations be grounds for optimism say positive outcome dey within reach.
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