Gambiaj.com – (MUSCAT, Oman) – The United States and Iran are reportedly edging closer to a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between the two countries, with Tehran expected to submit its response to mediators on Thursday.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the proposed one-page memorandum would formally declare an end to hostilities and open a 30-day window for both sides to resolve outstanding issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, and security arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking on Wednesday, Donald Trump said Washington had held “very good talks” with Iran over the past 24 hours. However, he warned that the United States could resume bombing if Tehran fails to agree to a deal.
Trump also told PBS News that any final agreement would require Iran to transfer its highly enriched uranium to the United States and commit to shutting down operations at its underground nuclear facilities.
The latest diplomatic developments have triggered concern in Israel, where officials fear Washington could make last-minute concessions to Tehran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly held discussions with senior Trump administration officials on Wednesday to better understand the direction of the negotiations.
Despite the diplomatic progress, tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route. The US military reportedly fired on an Iranian-flagged tanker heading toward an Iranian port on Wednesday as part of efforts to enforce its blockade.
The incident came only hours after Iran announced the creation of a new body tasked with governing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a move widely seen as an attempt to formalize Tehran’s control over the strategic chokepoint despite US warnings.
Shipping disruptions in the area continue to worsen. Reports indicate that about 1,600 ships remain stranded near the strait, with shipping companies facing mounting financial losses and security risks after more than two months of instability in the waterway.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron called on countries to join a multinational mission aimed at securing commercial shipping in the strait following talks with his Iranian counterpart.
Inside Iran, large crowds gathered in Tehran on Wednesday night in a show of support for the country’s leadership. Demonstrators waved Iranian flags, chanted anti-Israel slogans, and filled the streets with music and singing.
Many participants also held portraits of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike in February.
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